Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Protocol: Dispute Resolution

Tuesday 25 January 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial plans involve an independent arbitration mechanism for dispute resolution under the Northern Ireland protocol.
  • The Foreign Secretary acknowledges the urgency of resolving issues affecting traders in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
  • Discussions with the EU include exploring biosecurity measures that maintain UK sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South
Northern Ireland
Context

The issue of the dispute resolution mechanism within the Northern Ireland Protocol, which requires regulatory alignment with EU rules.

Question

Whether she has plans to change the dispute resolution mechanism in the Northern Ireland protocol. Article 5 requires Northern Ireland to maintain regulatory alignment with EU rules governing manufactured and agricultural goods; there are about 287 in all. Do the Government agree that this alignment should continue, and if so, what type of dispute resolution mechanism does she think would be appropriate?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

Our view is that the type of arbitration mechanism we need is the type in any standard trade agreement, which is an independent arbitration mechanism.

Answered
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Q2 Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Recent data shows that the Northern Ireland economy is recovering faster than any other part of the UK, but concerns remain about the impact of Brexit.

Question

While there are clearly some specific issues to be resolved, does she not recognise that demands to exclude the ECJ are confrontational and suggestions that article 16 removes the protocol in its entirety are misleading and are creating unrealistic expectations within Northern Ireland?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

I am taking a constructive approach to these negotiations. I was in Brussels yesterday meeting Maroš Šefčovič, and I do believe there is a deal to be done that helps protect peace and political stability in Northern Ireland and enables the free flow of goods between GB and Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifically avoided addressing whether excluding ECJ or article 16 claims are confrontational or misleading.

How: Constructive Approach, Negotiations

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Q3 Philippa Whitford SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Two years after Brexit, concerns remain about unresolved disputes and the need for resolution.

Question

I welcome the Foreign Secretary's constructive approach to the negotiations, but two years on from Brexit, can she confirm that disputes cannot go unresolved forever and that this situation has to be brought to an end sooner rather than later?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

I completely agree with my hon. Friend on the urgency of this situation, which is why we have been holding intensive talks with the EU to resolve the very real issues there are for traders in GB and Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or resolution date.

How: Urgency, Intensive Talks

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Q4 Philip Hollobone Con
Northern Ireland
Context

Public confidence that the Government will take decisive action on the situation has evaporated.

Question

Is the Secretary of State aware that confidence in Northern Ireland that the Government will take decisive action on this and do it quickly has evaporated? We need to see that action taken immediately.

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

I assure the hon. Gentleman that I am working very hard with my EU counterparts to resolve the difficult situation in Northern Ireland. We do need to sort this out as soon as possible, and that is why we are in intensive negotiations. I believe that there is a deal to be done.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify when decisive action will be taken or provide concrete plans.

How: Working Hard, Intensive Negotiations

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Q5 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Brexit Environment
Context

Concerns about biosecurity issues crossing international borders.

Question

We have learned that viruses and many infectious agents do not stick to international or, indeed, domestic borders. That is all too true in the human setting, but also in the veterinary setting. With that in mind, what discussions has my right hon. Friend had with the EU about the possibility of a veterinary or sanitary and phytosanitary agreement?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

My hon. Friend makes a good point about biosecurity. Of course, that is a key priority for us and the European Union. We are exploring all options that maintain the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the UK. I completely recognise what my hon. Friend says: those issues cross borders, so of course we need to work with our EU partners to sort them out.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify discussions on veterinary or sanitary agreements.

How: Biosecurity, Exploring All Options

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