British Irish Parliamentary Assembly: First day focuses on Irish border question and post-Brexit economy

Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Exiting the EU, Robin Walker MP addressed the Assembly, underlining the high priority given to issues affecting the island of Ireland as Britain negotiates to leave the EU. The Minister noted the shared challenges that the UK and Ireland faced, and the need to work together to solve them. He re-stated the Government’s commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, Belfast Agreement, Common Travel Area and a border without physical infrastructure. The Minister also underlined the importance of finding solutions that work for the whole UK, including devolved institutions and Crown Dependencies, and the importance of engaging closely with them.

 Chloe Smith MP, Under-Secretary of State in the Northern Ireland Office, spoke of the Government’s concern at the continued absence of devolved government in Northern Ireland. Talks are still taking place, supported by the UK and Irish governments, however the window for restoring devolution is closing and more direct involvement from Westminster becoming more likely. The UK Government is carefully considering the next steps, beginning with potential legislation on the Northern Ireland budget. She added that direct rule would be a huge step backwards, but the Government is willing to do what is necessary to support the region in the absence of devolved government.

The Minister described the Government’s continued support for Bombardier in the face of heavy tariffs on aircraft produced at their factory in Northern Ireland and the need to protect skilled jobs. She ended by accepting that current legacy institutions are not working well for victims or survivors. In her view, the Storemont House agreement provides better outcomes but admitted there were different views. There will be consultation on proposals for these issues, including victims and survivors.

Irish Co-Chair, Kathleen Funchion TD commented, “Now more than ever, we must maintain and foster the positive relations between Britain and Ireland. Robin Walker MP, briefed us on the progress of the Brexit negotiations. Ireland is uniquely affected by Brexit and BIPA Members were pleased to hear the Minister reaffirm that the British government will not tolerate any physical border infrastructure. Future prosperity must be at the heart of the negotiations and BIPA hopes that real and substantial clarity can soon be provided on the future relationship between the British Government and the EU.”

“Chloe Smith MP, provided an update on the current political situation in Ireland and the ongoing talks to restore the Executive. There are difficult issues to be bridged on both sides of the talks, but increased political decision making from Westminster risks becoming an inevitability if an agreement is not reached soon. BIPA Members acknowledged the backwards step this would represent and reaffirmed support for the restoration of the devolved government at Stormont.”

British Co-Chair, Andrew Rosindell MP added,“The implications of Brexit and the re-establishment of the Northern Ireland Executive provided the main focus of the first day’s discussions. I am grateful to Ministers Chloe Smith MP and Robin Walker MP for updating the Assembly on the work of their departments. It is pleasing to see the Government’s commitment to the structures, such as the Good Friday Agreement and Common Travel Area, that have done so much to create good relations between the UK and Ireland, and most importantly improve the lives of the people of Northern Ireland. We need a Brexit settlement that works for the whole island of Ireland, the UK and the Crown Dependencies, protecting the mechanisms that have worked so well will be crucial in establishing a mutually successful future.

 “I would like to thank our speakers, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, for his warm welcome and Greg Quiery for his illuminating talk on the history of Irish people in Liverpool. Daniel Mahoney, Seamus Nevin and Dr John Whittaker provided great insights into the economic implications of Brexit and initiated valuable discussion. Finally, British and Irish Youth again gave valuable contributions to the Plenary on the issues that matter to them, including public services and education.”


On Tuesday, 17 October, there will be addresses by Eoin O’Neill, President of the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce; Prof Peter Shirlow, Director and Chair of the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool; and Dr Kirsten Pullen, CEO of the British Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

 
BIPA is formed of members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, Houses of Parliament, Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales, Northern Ireland Assembly, High Court of Tynwald (Isle of Man) and the States of Guernsey and Jersey. It meets twice a year to promote co-operation between political representatives in Britain and Ireland and build on the close relationships established in recent years.

 
Notes to eds:
 
The 55th Plenary of the British Irish Assembly will take place at the Hilton Liverpool City Centre Hotel in Liverpool on Monday 16 October and Tuesday 17 October.

Follow the BIPA twitter channel for updates: @BritishIrishPA
 
About the Assembly

The Assembly’s mission is to promote co-operation between political representatives in Britain and Ireland for the benefit of the people they represent. BIPA’s membership includes representatives from the UK Parliament, the Houses of Oireachtas, the Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Welsh Assembly, the High Court of Tynwald (Isle of Man) and the States of Guernsey and Jersey.