Northern Ireland Protocol Trade with Great Britain 2021-04-21
2021-04-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Pharmaceutical manufacturers expect to withdraw up to 90% of medicines sent to Northern Ireland from the UK due to new costs and red tape, as stated by Lord Frost.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers and industry leaders are expected to withdraw up to 90% of medicines sent to Northern Ireland from the UK. What steps do you plan to minimise disruption in medical supplies?
We are working intensively with the European Commission, specifically Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and Lord Frost, on addressing the medicines issue. We aim to resolve difficult issues in partnership with the EU to ensure a resolution that works for the whole of the UK.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete actions or timeline for resolving medicine supply disruptions
Working Intensively
Difficult Issues
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Northern Ireland protocol causes difficulties for consumers and businesses.
What steps will the Government take to replace this protocol with arrangements that fully restore Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market?
We are determined to resolve outstanding issues from a pragmatic, flexible approach. We aim to restore confidence across communities and protect the Good Friday agreement while working with EU partners through Lord Frost.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete measures or timeline for replacing the protocol
Pragmatic, Flexible Way
Outstanding Issues
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Potential difficulties with the supply of medicines as a result of the protocol.
What measures will ensure free flow of medicines into Northern Ireland, preventing disadvantage in accessing pharmaceutical products?
We continue to work intensively with EU partners and are committed to ensuring Northern Ireland's access to market. We will take necessary actions, as outlined in the protocol recitals.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete measures or timeline for ensuring free flow of medicines
Intensively
Necessary Actions
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Anonymous social media accounts are used to exploit and inflame tensions, luring young people into protests.
Will the Secretary of State work with police to clarify that social media giants have a responsibility to prevent their platforms from being exploited for tension?
We are taking this forward and working with social media companies, as outlined last week. We highlight the risks of social media and encourage awareness among users.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete steps or timeline for addressing social media responsibility
Taking This Forward
Risks Of Social Media
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over the impact of the Northern Ireland protocol on levels of trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
What recent assessment has your Department made about the effect of the Northern Ireland protocol on trade levels?
Freight flow has returned to normal. We are monitoring and assessing, including potential changes in trade patterns. Temporary steps were taken to prevent disruption to goods flows, ensuring space for discussions on protocol implementation.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific assessment with concrete data or timeline
Monitoring And Assessing
Temporary Steps
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Social Democratic and Labour party expressed concern over the PSNI officer's experience with warped throwbacks. The issue of sanitary and phytosanitary checks is a tricky internal matter for the Conservative party.
We appreciate that sanitary and phytosanitary checks are a tricky issue internally for the Conservative party, but as the person in government in charge of speaking up for Northern Ireland, has the Secretary of State personally articulated to his Cabinet colleagues how the UK-EU veterinary and SPS arrangements could address the frictions in trade? Has he directly asked them to put the interests of Northern Ireland ahead of a theoretical power to diverge that the UK does not look as if it is going to use any time soon?
I appreciate the hon. Lady's comments as, I am sure, does the PSNI. Obviously, I am always making the case in the UK Government for the best outcome for people in Northern Ireland, and it is right that Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom in terms of trade. As I have said, SPS checks in one form or another, recognising the single epidemiological unit and biosecurity of the island of Ireland, have been in place since about the 19th century. We must ensure that we have a proper, pragmatic, flexible, free flow of goods, so that a consumer in Northern Ireland is able to have the same experience as a member of the United Kingdom anywhere in the United Kingdom. We are determined to ensure that we deliver that.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about articulating SPS arrangements and prioritizing Northern Ireland's interests was not directly addressed with concrete details or commitments.
Response accuracy