Supports the government's negotiations but asks if civil servants implementing current rules should be backed by the letter of 1 April, given the absence of an Executive.

Questions why the matter is being discussed and asks what steps will be taken by the UK Government to ensure adherence to international obligations under the protocol, seeking legal advice from which authority.

States this is a constitutional crisis, not just a technical problem, and suggests that the protocol needs to be scrapped and replaced.

Warns that parties have been warning of a crisis for months, states Sinn Féin will not allow discussion in the Executive, asks if HM Government will affirm non-interference and remove friction between GB companies and Northern Ireland.

My right hon. Friend rightly characterises this as a devolved matter, and the Government have been clear about it. However, would it not have been better for the Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive to have informed my right hon. Friend before deciding on the directive because of its sensitivities and the importance of allowing smooth negotiations with Commissioner Šefčovič?

Given that checks administration is devolved but legal obligations for ensuring they are done rest on the UK Government under international law and the Northern Ireland Act 1998, do the Government intend to use their powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 if checks cease?

Given my constituency's large Northern Irish population and concerns about the constitutional crisis caused by the protocol, will the Secretary of State commit to reviewing it urgently to restore Northern Ireland’s position within the UK Union? Also, does he agree that a Labour solution aligning us with EU regulations is unacceptable?

Does the Secretary of State agree that we need long-term, sustainable, legal pragmatic solutions for SPS and customs issues under the Northern Ireland protocol? Is it not counterproductive to undermine trust?

Given continued disruption and checks, does the Secretary of State hope that recent actions in Northern Ireland might be a wake-up call for the EU to negotiate a protocol replacement sooner?

Given the Prime Minister's role in creating this problem and Northern Ireland’s impending crisis, will the Secretary of State urge the PM to demonstrate real determination to solve the overall protocol issue?

Given that 20% of EU checks are between GB and NI, with most goods circulating within the UK single market, will the Secretary of State assure the House he will always put Northern Ireland’s interests above the EU's?

Given the principle of consent under the Good Friday agreement and its application in other cases, would the Secretary of State agree that the real responsibility lies with the EU to stop using Northern Ireland as a whipping boy?

The DUP is executing a series of reckless stunts today to try to regain some political memorandum and distract from the terrible mess that it has made, but removing officials and collapsing the Executive solves nothing. It damages trust, it undermines the culture of lawfulness that many of us are trying to foster and it risks vital legislation on climate, education and many other things that have been left hanging since the last governance black hole. I believe that it will also prevent the Executive from spending the money announced in this Chamber today to mitigate rising fuel prices. It is very disturbing that the UK Government seem content to shrug their shoulders and collude with this. What is the Minister’s clear message to businesses today, including those large retailers that are sending goods into Northern Ireland? Is it that they should continue to follow the legally mandated rules as outlined in the trade and co-operation agreement and the protocol, or should they collude with this stunt and undermine international law?

This is really the most farcical of situations among a number of farcical situations. It seems to me that what the Minister is saying here today is that everything is as was and as normal and traders can continue. Mr Poots seems to have lawyers; I wonder whether the Government’s lawyers are involved in any of this. It seems to me that the Government are involved in wishful thinking, following on from the question asked by my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn) about what happens next. Can the Minister tell us what is plan B?

I do not agree with all the points made by the hon. Member for Harwich and North Essex (Sir Bernard Jenkin), but on one point he was correct. This is not an operational issue but a constitutional one. Can we expect a further statement from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on all the points raised around that matter today?

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the people of Northern Ireland have been kept in the call waiting queue for long enough? We hear continual EU platitudes that our opinions are important, while they simply entrench further into the protocol. We are determined that now is the time for the call to be taken, for our voice to be heard, for our problems to be addressed and for justice and UK parity to be restored. Does he agree that since the EU and its government have continued to stall, there are now no options available to the people of Northern Ireland other than major steps that were a last resort and are now the only resort?