Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Engagement with Businesses: Northern Ireland Protocol

Wednesday 26 January 2022 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government engagement with Northern Ireland businesses is ongoing and regular.
  • The Secretary of State met with businesses to discuss protocol impacts and objectives.
  • The Government aims to deliver what Northern Ireland businesses desire regarding the protocol.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Farry
Northern Ireland
Context

The question arises from a lack of clear information regarding the government's engagement and transparency towards Northern Ireland businesses concerning the Northern Ireland protocol.

Question

What engagement has the Government had with Northern Ireland businesses on the Northern Ireland protocol since 1 January 2022?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

My engagement with the Northern Ireland business community is extensive. Just this week I have been in Northern Ireland engaging directly with businesses, as I do every week, to discuss the impacts of the protocol as well as any wider concerns or issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific timeline or frequency of engagements since 1 January 2022 and lacked concrete details on the nature and extent of these interactions.

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Q2 Stephen Farry
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

There is a desire among businesses for greater transparency on the government's negotiation goals related to the Northern Ireland protocol.

Question

The Government published their Command Paper last July, the European Union published four papers last October, and I understand that the Government have tabled a revised legal text in the negotiations. Does the Secretary of State recognise that there is a desire among businesses in Northern Ireland for much greater transparency around the UK Government's negotiating objectives?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We have been very transparent and clear with businesses. The Minister for Europe and I, and indeed the Foreign Secretary, have met and engaged with businesses, as we will be doing tomorrow, and outlined exactly what our objectives are: to deliver what businesses in Northern Ireland want, which is to rectify the problems that are hampering businesses in Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details on transparency measures or clear articulation of negotiation goals but instead reiterated the objectives without concrete steps towards increased transparency.

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Q3 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The question stems from the need for certainty and a resolution to issues facing businesses in Northern Ireland due to the lack of a proper veterinary agreement.

Question

When it comes to negotiations with the European Union, this Government told us that we could have our cake and eat it, but we face a harsh reality: a Prime Minister ambushed by cake while businesses in Northern Ireland are crying out for certainty. When will the Government finally bake off and deliver a veterinary agreement?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I will ignore the cakeism directed from the Opposition Front Bench and just say that it is good to see the hon. Lady finally supporting the UK Government, which Labour has failed to do while we are focused on delivering for Northern Ireland, rectifying the protocol and fixing the problem.

Not addressed: The questioner's request for a timeline or commitment was completely ignored in favour of a criticism towards the Opposition.

How: Redirecting To Criticism Of Opposition

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