Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Protocol

Wednesday 27 April 2022 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government prioritises trade deals that benefit the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland.
  • EU's implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol is causing significant difficulties for businesses and communities.
  • Government will maintain all options to resolve issues caused by the protocol, respecting the Good Friday agreement.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Spellar Lab
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The UK-US trade talks had a recent round and the progress on worker-centred trade deals was discussed. The US Congress has concerns about potential risks to peace in Northern Ireland due to the Good Friday agreement and the Northern Ireland protocol.

Question

I am sure that the Minister will join me in welcoming the latest round of UK-US trade talks yesterday, and the progress on the US policy of worker-centred trade deals. However, when we were in Washington last month, it was made clear to us by Congress that this would be derailed by what many there see as undermining peace on the island of Ireland, including the Good Friday agreement and Northern Ireland protocol. Is the Minister really going to put at risk a trade deal with the world's biggest economy?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The focus of the UK Government's work is to get trade deals that benefit the United Kingdom as a whole, including Northern Ireland. We have a strong interest with our friends in the US regarding the Good Friday agreement and its support for it. The government prioritises ensuring the primacy and delivery of the Good Friday agreement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether the trade deal is at risk due to concerns about the Northern Ireland protocol

How: Focus On Overall Interest In The Good Friday Agreement

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q2 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The cost of shipping from Great Britain to Northern Ireland has increased by 27%. Nine out of ten traders in Northern Ireland face difficulties, with six out of ten forced to re-route goods due to the protocol. The European Union's interpretation of the protocol is seen as damaging business and undermining peace.

Question

The cost of shipping from Great Britain to Northern Ireland has increased by 27%. Nine out of ten traders in Northern Ireland face difficulties, with six out of ten forced to re-route goods because of the protocol. The EU's interpretation of the protocol is harming businesses now and threatening Northern Ireland's full place in the United Kingdom. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is urgent to fix this issue?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

My hon. Friend's point is accurate; the EU's protocol implementation is having a profound impact and needs urgent resolution to resolve issues affecting businesses, consumers, and communities. The UK Government has consistently stated its position since March 2019 in support of the Good Friday agreement.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q3 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Northern Ireland
Context

Five months since the Government renewed negotiations with the EU on the Northern Ireland protocol, there has been no visible progress. Instead, there have been op-eds threatening article 16 and comments from the Prime Minister suggesting tearing apart his own deal.

Question

After five months of negotiations, we see no visible progress. Instead, there are threats to use article 16 and comments from the Prime Minister indicating he is ready to tear apart his own deal. Will the Government treat these negotiations with respect and diligence to find a settlement?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The hon. Lady should stand up for the people of Northern Ireland and the UK, as the Government is doing by defending and protecting the Good Friday agreement while resolving issues caused by the EU's protocol implementation.

Not addressed: Did not address whether negotiations will be treated with respect or diligence

How: Redirecting To A Moral Stance

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q4 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Northern Ireland Foreign Affairs
Context

There are discussions about the importance of abiding by an international rules-based system, particularly in relation to Russia and the Northern Ireland protocol.

Question

In those discussions with Cabinet colleagues, will my right hon. Friend commit to pointing out that there would be hypocrisy if we were to break our internationally agreed obligations after pointing out to others the importance of abiding by such systems?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Our position has been consistent since March 2019, emphasising that if the protocol's objectives are not being served proportionately, we can seek agreement to end its provisions. The objectives of the protocol respect the Good Friday agreement.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q5 Richard Thomson
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

There is concern about the frequency of threats to use article 16 in EU negotiations, especially when there appears to be no cross-party support for such actions within the Conservative Party.

Question

Another week, another threat to deploy article 16. Who does the Secretary of State imagine will be impressed by this behaviour, given that it seems increasingly difficult for the Conservative and Unionist party to conserve or unify anything?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The hon. Gentleman should look at what is happening in Northern Ireland, where there is a view across all parties that we need to resolve issues with the protocol. The Good Friday agreement is under threat as it no longer has consent across communities.

Not addressed: Did not address who would be impressed by article 16 threats

How: Redirecting To A Discussion On Northern Ireland

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q6 Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire
Northern Ireland
Context

There is an interest in finding alternative ways to deal with the Northern Ireland protocol that can be supported across communities, as noted by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report of March 2019.

Question

In trying to find an alternative to the Northern Ireland protocol that has cross-community support, what note has the Secretary of State taken of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report of March 2019? The report highlighted acceptable technological and procedural solutions for dealing with the border without onerous checks.

Answer from Brandon Lewis

My right hon. Friend is correct; there are now technical solutions that can work today to deliver what is required while respecting the single market and protecting the Good Friday agreement.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q7 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Ukraine Northern Ireland
Context

The question arises from concerns about the EU-UK protocol's impact on sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly drawing parallels with Ukraine.

Question

If we use Ukraine as an example, should we ever advise a sovereign nation to cede control of its territory? Yet, those advocating for the Northern Ireland Protocol suggest similar actions, with laws and regulations imposed by the EU. Given that the Government published steps last year to restore Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market, when will these measures be taken?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The right hon. Gentleman makes an important point about the protocol's vision of respecting the UK internal market and the Good Friday agreement. The Government will keep all options on the table, aiming for a resolution that respects these agreements. If no agreement can be reached, action will be taken to ensure peace and prosperity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or steps outlined in the Command Paper were not addressed

How: We Want To Get A Resolution, We Take Nothing Off The Table

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q8 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Northern Ireland
Context

Since the introduction of the protocol, there have been issues with the functioning of the Northern Ireland Executive, the Assembly, and East-West relations.

Question

The Government co-guarantee the Belfast agreement. Since the protocol's introduction, the North South Ministerial Council is not fully functional, the Northern Ireland Executive is limited in its capabilities, and East-West relationships are strained. Therefore, should the UK send a clear message to Washington that the protocol undermines political stability and institutions in Northern Ireland by altering its constitutional status without consent?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The EU's implementation of the protocol is creating significant challenges for businesses and communities in Northern Ireland, putting the Good Friday agreement at risk. We are clear that we need to resolve this issue by agreement with the EU or take necessary actions if resolution cannot be reached.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific message to Washington was not addressed

How: We Want To Get An Agreement, If No Agreement, Action Will Be Taken

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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