Northern Ireland Protocol Negotiations 2022-06-22
2022-06-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group has expressed significant concerns about the introduction of an all-encompassing dual regulatory regime.
I understand that dairy farmers have similar concerns. Having heard about those issues, can the Secretary of State tell us what consultation the Government did with businesses before introducing this regime?
We are in continual engagement with business. We have had more than two meetings a month with the wider group, and the Minister of State and I have made more than 30 visits to businesses that are members of those groups. We are in constant communication with business.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify what consultation was done before introducing the regime
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The focus is on protecting the UK's internal market from disruptions caused by the Northern Ireland protocol.
Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the practical and durable solution set out in the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill will do just that?
My hon. Friend is spot on, as ever. Our legislation will restore the balance inherent in the objectives of the protocol, avoiding a hard border, protecting the integrity of the United Kingdom and safeguarding the EU single market.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm if it protects the UK internal market specifically
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The former head of the Government Legal Department suggests that the bill is illegal, based on previous actions by the Secretary of State.
Based on this Government's track record, why should anyone believe what the Minister claims about this Bill's legality?
The hon. Gentleman tends to make a habit of standing at the Dispatch Box and taking the side of the EU over the UK, which is disappointing: what he should be doing is supporting the UK economy and supporting businesses and people in Northern Ireland, who want to see a resolution.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the legality question
Attacking The Opposition
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Foreign Secretary argues for unilateral action on the protocol due to lack of support in one community.
Can he confirm that the current plans also have the support of the nationalist community?
The hon. Gentleman talks about the Belfast/Good Friday agreement, but his tweets in the last couple of weeks have highlighted that he has possibly not even read it; I suggest that he at least gets equipped with who the signatories to the agreement are, so that he understands who the co-guarantors are.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm support from nationalists
Attacking The Opposition
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The EU has threatened to remove access for Northern Irish businesses to its single market.
Does the Secretary of State agree that such a threat from the EU indicates it simply wants to punish Northern Ireland businesses because the UK Government want to protect the UK internal market?
The right hon. Gentleman makes an important point. It is right that we are looking to deliver on all three strands of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement. We will never be looking at any sort of infrastructure; there cannot be a hard border on the island, in the same way that there should not be a hard border between east and west.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address if EU actions are punitive
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State is aware of significant business concerns regarding the dual regulatory regime.
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on progress in the Northern Ireland protocol negotiations?
I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues about issues affecting Northern Ireland more widely, including the Northern Ireland protocol.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on recent discussions
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
The former Prime Minister Tony Blair stated the protocol poses a risk to the Good Friday agreement, prompting concerns about cross-community consensus in Northern Ireland.
Does the Secretary of State agree that the Good Friday Agreement and political institutions can operate only with cross-community consensus and not majority rule? Given this, does he also agree the Government needs legislation to address difficulties caused by the protocol?
The Government are clear that cross-community consensus is essential and the protocol undermines this. We aim to resolve these issues through proposed legislation despite unsuccessful EU negotiations, prioritizing protection of the UK internal market, people, businesses in Northern Ireland, and all elements of the Good Friday Agreement.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government invested good faith in the Northern Ireland Protocol, but it has become incompatible with the Good Friday Agreement. The EU has previously used Article 16.
Given the protocol's incompatibility with the Good Friday agreement and previous use of Article 16 by Ursula von der Leyen, will the Government now consider triggering article 16?
The EU has used Article 16 before during vaccine roll-outs, causing disruption and highlighting its approach. We are determined to resolve issues through our proposed legislation rather than triggering Article 16.
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Assessment & feedback
triggering article 16
We Do Not Want To Trigger Article 16
We Take Nothing Off The Table But We Are Clear That Our Proposed Legislation Resolves Issues
Response accuracy