Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Protocol

Wednesday 9 March 2022 · 10 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister met with Cabinet colleagues to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol and its implications.
  • The government maintains that all options, including Article 16, remain on the table for resolving issues under the protocol.
  • Officials are in ongoing talks with the Irish Government regarding travel and border issues to ensure smooth movement across the border.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Northern Ireland
Context

Discussions on the Northern Ireland Protocol are ongoing, with issues surrounding trade and sovereignty persisting.

Question

What recent discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on negotiations regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I regularly meet Cabinet colleagues to discuss Northern Ireland matters, including the Northern Ireland protocol. The situation is serious, and we are keeping all options available to achieve a positive outcome through agreement with the EU.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific details of recent discussions were not provided; only general statements about meetings and objectives were given.

How: Keeping All Options Available, Focusing On Achieving A Positive Outcome

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Deidre Brock SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Senior Brexiteers are reportedly pressing for triggering Article 16, which would involve declaring unfinished business with the EU in relation to the protocol.

Question

Given that senior Brexiteers are pressing the Government to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol amid a war threatening global food security, will the Government remove this option from consideration?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Absolutely not. We are very clear that we have to keep all options on the table. If issues with the protocol cannot be resolved, Article 16 is part of the proper legal process. Our priority remains getting a resolution by agreement with the EU.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Bill Cash Con
Ukraine Northern Ireland
Context

Negotiations regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol have been slow, with concerns over sovereignty and adherence to EU law.

Question

Does he recognise that sovereignty remains a key issue for Northern Ireland within the context of both EU lawmaking and current geopolitical tensions, including in Ukraine?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

My hon. Friend makes an important point. We have not seen enough progress from the EU and need more flexibility on trade and identity issues to resolve the situation quickly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific examples of sovereignty concerns were noted but a clear commitment or timeline for addressing them was lacking.

How: Flexibility And Pragmatism Needed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

There is a need for better coordination on veterinary health and sanitary regulations to improve trade relations.

Question

Would an EU-UK veterinary and SPS agreement protect biosecurity while facilitating trade of plant and animal produce from Great Britain to Northern Ireland?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We have put forward constructive proposals like the green channel system, which can address east-west customs and SPS burdens. We aim to find a resolution that allows goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland without risk of them moving to the EU.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Peter Kyle Lab Hove and Portslade
Northern Ireland
Context

The Prime Minister has reportedly stated a low success probability for negotiations on the protocol.

Question

Does he share the assessment that the current negotiations have only a 30% chance of success?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I am not sure I can give betting odds. The EU has shown a lack of flexibility, and we must be realistic about progress so far. We take no options off the table to resolve issues with the protocol.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not confirm or deny the 30% chance figure explicitly; instead, he emphasized the need for flexibility.

How: Being Realistic About Lack Of Progress, Not Taking Options Off The Table

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Peter Kyle Lab Hove and Portslade
Northern Ireland Democracy & Elections
Context

Queen's University Belfast's poll found the UK government is highly distrusted, attributing this to informal communication from Ministers. Since the Executive collapsed, there have been no statements on negotiations with the EU.

Question

Ministers and Prime Minister have given various informal answers leading to distrust in the Government. Queen's University Belfast's poll shows the UK government is most distrusted among all actors. Following five rounds of negotiations between the UK and EU Governments without a statement, will the Secretary of State promise to bring discussions out of shadows and make statements to the House?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Negotiations need to be private, but we take no options off the table and continue to strain every sinew for a resolution that respects all aspects of the Good Friday agreement. We will do everything possible to resolve issues affecting Northern Ireland's economy and citizens.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to making statements in the House on ongoing negotiations

How: We Need Private Negotiations

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q7 David Jones Con
Northern Ireland Brexit Democracy & Elections
Context

The period of purdah is approaching in the run-up to the Northern Ireland Assembly election, and there has been no serious progress made. The purdah period restricts political activities.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend acknowledge the need for real progress before the pre-election period? Does he anticipate that such progress will be made?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We aim to resolve issues quickly regardless of the pre-election period, as delays affect businesses and consumers. Every day without flexibility from the EU is another day of disruptions for products and goods necessary for daily life.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to making progress before the purdah period starts

How: We Need To Resolve Issues As Quickly As Possible

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q8 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Northern Ireland
Context

A constituent from Dromore, confined to a wheelchair, could not access spare parts due to HMRC registration issues, highlighting difficulties caused by the protocol.

Question

My constituent, disabled and reliant on a motor vehicle with a broken ramp, was unable to get a replacement part due to HMRC regulations. This is just one of many examples where the protocol disrupts daily life in Northern Ireland.

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We need to be clear with the EU that its lack of flexibility risks the Belfast/Good Friday agreement. The right hon. Gentleman's case highlights how the protocol disrupts everyday life, and we must keep pressure on the EU for pragmatic solutions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to addressing issues caused by the protocol

How: We Need To Keep Pressure On The Eu

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q9 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Taxation Northern Ireland
Context

Households are struggling with rising home-heating costs due to VAT rules under EU regulations, preventing the Chancellor from reducing VAT on heating oil without permission.

Question

My constituents face increasing home-heating costs due to European Union VAT rules. The Chancellor cannot reduce VAT without EU approval, denying support to Northern Ireland households.

Answer from Brandon Lewis

In February we provided £250 million more to the Executive for flexibility. The right hon. Gentleman's example shows how the protocol disrupts everyday life, and it must stop.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to addressing issues caused by the protocol

How: We Need To Remember That The Implementation Of The Protocol Is Doing Exactly What We Say

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q10 Richard Thomson
Immigration Northern Ireland
Context

The Northern Ireland protocol includes article 3 which ensures the Common Travel Area rights continue. The introduction of an electronic travel authorisation system could affect freedom of movement across the border, potentially causing economic and political strain.

Question

Does the Secretary of State recognise the potential economic and political strain that the introduction of an electronic travel authorisation system could put on freedom of movement across the border? What engagement does he plan to have with the Government of Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic and their partners in the EU in respect of how to make sure such frictions do not take effect?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Throughout the pandemic, we have ensured that the common travel area remains open and flowing. My officials have been in talks with the Irish Government about these issues this week and last week, and I will continue to engage them myself.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific economic and political strain from an electronic travel authorisation system was not addressed directly.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email