Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022
110. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he accepts the assertions made by the United Kingdom government that it has been actively trying to make the Northern Ireland Protocol work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32933/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent conversation with EU Commission Vice-President; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32850/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on efforts to protect the Northern Ireland Protocol. [27390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 159 and 161 together.
As has been the case throughout the Brexit process, the Government continues to undertake a coordinated and consistent approach in support of our Brexit priorities, which includes working with the Commission to find jointly agreed solutions to the challenges around the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
The Taoiseach, Ministers, and officials from Dublin and all our embassies continue to meet regularly with our counterparts and stakeholders in the EU Institutions and across Member States and globally.
I am in ongoing contact with European Commission Vice-President Šefcovic, who I spoke with on 13 June regarding the UK Government’s publication of draft legislation to dis-apply the core elements of the Protocol. It is clear from this conversation, as well as others I have had with my EU counterparts, that the EU retains its strong willingness to seek practical solutions that will work for Northern Ireland. The UK's unilateral action has concerned colleagues across the Member States of the European Union. The General Affairs Council this week took the opportunity to reiterate the full support of Member States for the Commission’s approach.
The tabling of this legislation marks a particular low point in the UK government approach to Brexit.
Brexit, and in particular the hard Brexit chosen by the UK Government, is the root cause of the uncertainty in Northern Ireland. The Protocol is the solution, jointly designed and freely chosen by the British Government to mitigate the challenges posed by their preferred version of Brexit.
The situation on the ground backs this up. Northern Ireland is growing faster than any other UK region, according to the UK’s own Office of National Statistics. The Protocol is a factor in helping protect Northern Ireland from negative effects of shortages and delays, as Northern Irish supply chains have added resilience thanks to its EU Single Market access. Foreign direct investment interest in Northern Ireland is at historically high levels. Northern Irish-based businesses consistently underline the importance of dual market access.
The message I hear from business in Northern Ireland has been consistent. There is a real desire to make the most of the opportunities the Protocol brings. They want continued access to both the EU and GB markets. They want predictability and stability. The UK Government’s unilateral actions undermine these objectives and create uncertainty for Northern Ireland businesses, as well as for their suppliers and buyers.
People and business across Northern Ireland have been clear: they want an agreed solution between the EU and the UK. They want the EU and the UK to work together to address the genuine concerns that have been raised.
A majority of newly elected Assembly MLAs have written to Prime Minister Johnson rejecting in the strongest possible terms the UK government’s reckless approach, as it, and I quote, “flies in the face of the expressed wishes of not just most businesses, but most people in Northern Ireland.”
Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefcovic, and his team have done commendable work engaging and listening to people and businesses in Northern Ireland. They have come up with practical and flexible means of implementing the Protocol that can address some of the real-world concerns that have arisen in relation to the movement of goods, and for enhancing Northern Ireland engagement around the Protocol.
These are bespoke arrangements that further demonstrates the flexibility and compromise the EU is willing to show - including an openness to further change its own rules. And importantly, the EU’s approach is not a take it or leave it one. The EU is willing to discuss these solutions with the British government.
However, the UK has not engaged in any meaningful discussions since February. Their unwillingness to explore the EU’s solutions in any real depth – taken together with their newly proposed unilateral legislation action – is the very disappointing and concerning.
I have said many times that these issues can be resolved if there is political will to tackle the issues together.
The UK Government continues to state that a negotiated solution is their preferred outcome. If that is true, the UK needs to demonstrate a show of good faith soon to avoid more polarisation on the ground in Northern Ireland and more harm to relationships between our two governments and between the EU and the UK.
