Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Protocol

Wednesday 14 December 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions with Northern Ireland political leaders include talks on the Northern Ireland protocol.
  • Government engagement with the European Union aims to find solutions to issues caused by the Northern Ireland protocol.
  • The Secretary of State declined to provide a detailed timeline or status update on negotiations with the European Union.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Northern Ireland
Context

The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill is under scrutiny, and political parties in Northern Ireland are concerned about the progress of negotiations.

Question

What recent discussions has he had with representatives of political parties in Northern Ireland on the progress of negotiations on the Northern Ireland protocol?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I have regular discussions with Northern Ireland political leaders on Northern Ireland matters, including the protocol. The Government are engaging in constructive dialogue with the European Union to find solutions to the problems that the protocol is causing. We are also proceeding with legislation that aims to fix these problems in the event that we cannot reach a negotiated solution.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details of recent discussions, only general engagement.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Northern Ireland
Context

Criticism has emerged over the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill and its impact on international law, trade barriers, and political parties in Northern Ireland.

Question

The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill takes a wrecking ball to the deal that the Conservatives negotiated, signed and campaigned on. It breaks international law and risks new trade barriers in the middle of a cost of living crisis. Political parties in Northern Ireland have been left in limbo—they have been left out in the cold—by this Government. Given that it was a previous Conservative Prime Minister who negotiated the protocol, why has the current Prime Minister not even visited Northern Ireland yet to see how it is working, and how will he sort out this self-created Government mess?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

As I have said, I meet regularly with the Northern Ireland parties. One issue that always comes up is the Northern Ireland protocol. I believe that it was negotiated in very good faith between the two parties. However, its practical application is demonstrating on a daily basis to the people in Northern Ireland that it is not working. It is not fully implemented by a long way yet, which is why the Government are in talks with the European Union and have their protocol Bill running at the same time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific reasons for lack of visits or provide a solution.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Laurence Robertson Con
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The status and nature of talks with the European Union about the Northern Ireland protocol are unclear.

Question

Can the Secretary of State update us on those talks with the European Union? Are they still at the stage of discussing technical details, or are they actually discussing more substantial issues?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The one thing that I am quite confident that I will not do is give a running commentary on the state of the negotiations or talks between the European Union and the UK Government. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did update the House a bit yesterday, but I think that he maintains that position as well.

Not addressed: Did not provide an update on the status of negotiations.

How: Running Commentary, Foreign Secretary'S Update

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Peter Kyle Lab Hove and Portslade
Northern Ireland
Context

The Prime Minister has paused the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, raising questions about the timeline for negotiations.

Question

It is good news that the Prime Minister has paused the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. Can the Secretary of State confirm that negotiations are on track to deliver an agreement that all communities can support by 19 January?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I am a “glass half full” man, and I truly believe that a landing zone has been identified by all parties to aim for. Can I confirm a date? No. Can I give a running commentary? I am afraid that I cannot do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide confirmation on the specific timeline or progress of negotiations.

How: Cannot Confirm, Running Commentary

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 Retained EU Law Bill aims at divergence from the single market, raising concerns about community engagement in Northern Ireland.

Question

The intended purpose of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill is divergence from the single market. To avoid repeating the political fallout over the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, the Government should be engaging with all communities in Northern Ireland right now, based on a detailed impact assessment. Is that happening?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

Yes.

Not addressed: Did not provide details on current engagement or impact assessments.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email