Northern Ireland Protocol Negotiations 2021-12-08
2021-12-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Northern Ireland protocol is causing issues with unnecessary checks on goods, affecting businesses and society.
What assessment has been made of the progress of the negotiations with the EU on the Northern Ireland protocol?
The status quo cannot continue. The UK Government presented a Command Paper outlining how to resolve the serious issues within the Northern Ireland protocol. However, the EU's proposals do not remove the need for unnecessary checks on goods and lack support from businesses or society.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific timeline or concrete action plan
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Members have stated that the Prime Minister promised to renege on the Northern Ireland protocol in the future.
How can any future trade or negotiating partner trust the UK when it is clearly acting in bad faith with the Northern Ireland protocol?
The UK Government has been clear and transparent about our intentions all along, from launching the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill to taking action in March. The current situation is not working for the UK internal market or anyone in Northern Ireland.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address trust issues directly
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Northern Ireland protocol was negotiated by the Government, but they now claim it does not work.
Is the Secretary of State embarrassed to stand here as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in a Government who have effectively thrown Northern Ireland under the bus in the name of Brexit?
The objectives include ensuring everyday lives and communities are not disrupted, respecting the UK internal market and all three strands of the Good Friday agreement. The EU's implementation breaches these issues.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address embarrassment or harm to Northern Ireland
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The issue is affecting international relationships, steel matters, and fragile ecology in Northern Ireland.
May I urge the Secretary of State to speed up negotiations on the Irish sea checks and regulations?
My right hon. Friend is correct that we need to resolve this quickly, but EU needs to recognise issues on the ground in Northern Ireland and move towards resolution.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a timeline for resolution
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Despite Lord Frost's talks, no agreement has been reached on the transporting of medicines to Northern Ireland.
Will the Secretary of State give a concrete guarantee that an agreement on medicines will be reached before Christmas?
That issue is at the heart of Lord Frost's discussions with the EU. The hon. Lady highlights a clear problem, and we need the EU to come to the table with proposals.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete guarantee before Christmas
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Secretary of State has been talking about invoking Article 16 but has not done so.
Where is your Bill, Brandon?
My right hon. Friend is correct that we have not yet triggered article 16; conditions have been met but it's the start of a process.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to triggering Article 16 immediately
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Recent ONS data indicates Northern Ireland is faring well due to the protection of the protocol, but there are issues with local councils.
Will he acknowledge that there has been a year-long campaign of reality distortion to mask the fact that the protocol is required by people in Northern Ireland?
We want the protocol to work, but at present it does not. Engagement with business groups highlighted the status quo does not work.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not acknowledge support for the protocol or distortion campaign
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Government's legal representatives are currently stating in court that parts of the Northern Ireland protocol represent a temporary suspension of elements of the Act of Union. There is concern about the duration and implications of this suspension.
My right hon. Friend will be aware that the Government's legal representatives are now telling the courts that the Northern Ireland protocol represents a temporary suspension of parts of the Act of Union. When will this temporary suspension come to an end?
My hon. Friend will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on an open court case, but we are determined to ensure we resolve the issues for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland and for the UK internal market.
▸
Assessment & feedback
When the temporary suspension will end
Inappropriate To Comment On An Open Court Case
Response accuracy