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LAST UPDATE | 17 May 2022
THE EU HAS said it “will need to respond with all measures at its disposal” if Britain goes ahead with unilateral changes to the part of the Brexit deal on Northern Ireland.
The announcement, made by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, “raises significant concerns,” European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic said in a statement.
“The (Northern Ireland) Protocol is an international agreement signed by the EU and the UK. Unilateral actions contradicting an international agreement are not acceptable,” he said.
This afternoon, Liz Truss revealed plans to introduce legislation to alter the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Truss made the announcement before MPs at the House of Commons just after 12.30pm.
Addressing parliament, she said: “I am announcing our intention to introduce legislation to make changes to the Protocol.”
Truss said that a deal with the EU is still on the table and a more favourable outcome than introducing the new legislation.
The Foreign Secretary said that she will invite EU Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic to talks over the Protocol.
Responding this afternoon, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the British move was a “damaging” one.
“I deeply regret the decision of the British government to introduce legislation in the coming weeks that will unilaterally dis-apply elements of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
“Such unilateral action in respect of an internationally binding agreement is damaging to trust and will serve only to make it more challenging to find solutions to the genuine concerns that people in Northern Ireland have about how the Protocol is being implemented,” he said.
In the House of Commons this afternoon, Truss said the Good Friday Agreement is “under strain”, adding: “Regrettably, the Northern Ireland Executive has not been fully functioning since early February.
“This is because the Northern Ireland Protocol does not have the support necessary in one part of the community in Northern Ireland. I would also note that all of Northern Ireland’s political parties agree on the need for changes to the Protocol.
“This is not about scrapping the Protocol.”
Truss said the practical problems include producers facing “onerous” restrictions due to sanitary and phytosanitary restrictions, adding in the Commons: “These practical problems have contributed to the sense that the east-west relationship has been undermined.
“Without resolving these and other issues we will not be able to re-establish the executive and preserve the hard-won progress sustained by the Belfast-Good Friday Agreement. We need to restore the balance in the agreement.”
Truss said the UK’s preference is to “reach a negotiated outcome” with the EU.
She added that the proposed bill “is consistent with our obligations in international law”.
She told the Commons: “To respond to the very grave and serious situation in Northern Ireland, we are clear there is a necessity to act to ensure the institutions can be restored as soon as possible.
The Government is clear that proceeding with the bill is consistent with our obligations in international law and in support of our prior obligations in the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.
“Before any changes are made, we will consult businesses and people in Northern Ireland.”
Truss has claimed the Bill will put in place the “necessary measures to lessen the burden on east-west trade” and will “ensure the people of Northern Ireland are able to access the same benefits as the people of Great Britain”.
She went on: “The Bill will ensure that goods moving and staying within the UK are freed of unnecessary bureaucracy through our new green channel. This respects Northern Ireland’s place in the UK in its customs territory and protects the UK internal market.
“At the same time, it ensures that goods destined for the EU undergo the full checks and controls applied under EU law. This will be underpinned by data-sharing arrangements that I have already set out.
“It will allow both east-west trade and the EU single market to be protected whilst removing customs paperwork for goods remaining in the United Kingdom.
“The Bill will remove regulatory barriers to goods made to UK standards being sold in Northern Ireland. Businesses will be able to choose between meeting UK or EU standards in a new dual regulatory regime.”
The row over the protocol has affected the formation of a new executive in Stormont, as the Democratic Unionist Party has refused to join a new administration unless its concerns over the arrangements are addressed.
A majority of Stormont MLAs represent parties that support the protocol.
Reaction
Future UK trade deals could be damaged by any threats to interfere with Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade arrangements, the British Labour Party has said.
Its shadow Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said: “Britain should be a country that keeps its word.
“The rest of the world is looking at us and wondering if we are a country that they want to do business with.
When we seek to negotiate new deals abroad, does the Government want to make other countries question whether we will keep our end of the bargain?
“There are wide-ranging and damaging repercussions undermining our ability to hold others to account for their own commitments, when we should, for example, be pulling together in support of Ukraine, not fuelling divisions with our European allies.”
He later asked: “Will they set out clearly to the House why this doesn’t break international law?”
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson told the Commons: “The statement today is a welcome if overdue step that is a significant move towards addressing the problems created by the protocol and getting power-sharing based upon a cross-community consensus up and running again.
“Therefore, we hope to see progress on a bill in order to deal with these matters in days and weeks, not months. As the legislation progresses we will take a graduated and cautious approach.
“We want to see the Irish Sea border removed and the Government honouring its commitment in the New Decade, New Approach agreement to protect Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market. The statement today indicates this will be covered in the legislation.”
He reiterated that he wants to see the political institutions “possibly functioning as soon as possible”, but said “to restore unionist confidence decisive action is now needed in the form of legislation to repair the harm done by the protocol”.
He called for “sensible arrangements” and said: “The words today are a good start. But the Foreign Secretary will know that it is actions that speak louder than words. I welcome her commitment to such decisive action in this statement.”
- Additional reporting PA and Garreth MacNamee
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We’ll see what Joe Biden thinks of this.
@Diarmuid Hehir: Joe Biden needs to wake up to think
@Diarmuid Hehir: To be fair, trade deals are a matter for Congress, not the White House, but its not like both Parties there havent warned the UK about using the North as a pawn either.
@Diarmuid Hehir: who cares what Joe biden thinks. It has nothing to do with the US.
@Roy Dowling: yes it does. Guarantor of GFA. You’re in Ireland now, Roy. Keep the British exceptionalism to yourself. You’re abroad, boy
@Liam MacSuibhne: who’s abroad? Not me that’s for sure.
@Chris Swanepoel: ehhh… everyone needs to wake up to think , otherwise it’s called dreaming.
@Roy Dowling: You need to catch up Roy – the US were and still are absolutely fundamental to both the GFA and any trade agreements that Britain will try and negotiate. The US are key stakeholders in this debacle.
@Roy Dowling: The US are co guarantors to the GFA so it has everything to do with them.
@Roy Dowling: The US have a legal mandate as a guarantor of Good Friday , the British really struggle with the rule of law when it doesn’t suit.
@Chris Swanepoel: he’s grand! We know what he thinks. Remember what he told the BBC when he was elected. I’m guessing he’s wide awake.
@Roy Dowling: so you accept the return of the troubles as ok as long as the yanks stay out? Well I’d prefer them involved, because A: they helped broker the GFA, and B: it might tell the UK to cop themselves on and not go breaking agreements they have made. Your anti-american rhetoric has gone too far this time.
I can’t see how breaking international law is going to go well for them, as well as annoying the US, but I’m looking forward to seeing how badly they manage to mess it up
@Fallout Life: it was clear from the start they were going to break the agreement and then this week lining up their story that the EU are bullies
The Brit economy is tanking and will probably go into recession next month, wages are decreasing and the Tories are tanking in the polls. This is purely a distraction exercise to try and take the heat off one of the most incompetent government’s there has ever been. They are still trying to fight a Brexir that every other country in Europe has long since stopped caring about to placate the little Englanders.
The sanctions that the EU could impose will be the end for Boris when the UK economy sinks…it’s political and economic suicide by the Tories, all in the name of “Rule Britannia” and a obsession with imperialism!! They deserve everything they’ll get..
@Simon Connolly: Brexit coincided with the anniversary of the Great War, you know the one. Where apparently the Brits gave the Germans a bloody nose.
@Patrick Corr: or was it “a jolly good thrashing”
@Michael McGrath: that’s the one lol
The inevitable will eventually happen, one Ireland.
@Chris Swanepoel: At this rate, Wales and Scotland might ask to join us too!
@James Murphy: instead of British Isles it’ll be The isles of Eire or IOE. But something tells me BOJO would do trade deals with Putin if the EU apply sanctions on the U.K. Bojo has no scruples whatsoever
No surprise here. Our neighbors are true to form. Breaking international treaties after setting up a trade deal that actually reduces trade. They are not to be trusted.
If it was that simple, it would have been in the original agreement. There would not have been a need for any protocol, but is was and is not that simple. Yes, the DUP would be happy with a land border in Ireland. But a big majority of people in NI would not want that, which is effectively a return to the “old” days.
If the majority of MLAs suport the protocol why change it just to Mr Donnelsan if they dont form a government stop their wages that will soon change their stance
Will the DUP now come into play, or say No to this ?
@James Lough: they will say no. They only want a land border in ireland just don’t have balls to say it.
@James Lough: did u really need to. Ask if the DUP are going to say No
Well this was predictable. Westminster are only doing this to further the tension in North. They would just love for the conflict to start again as if the conflict does start, then good Friday agreement isn’t worth the paper it written on. It would also lessen the Irish influence over the brexit negotiations. The DUP are so blindsighted by hatrated they cannot see the are absolutely being used. The electoral in the North clearly voted towards the protocol and yet Westminster will be there with their big wooden spoon to cause trouble! As the saying does, divide and cconquer.
The Tories have spent many years blaming all UK ills on the EU. So much so that they convinced over half the population that they would be better off outside .Seems like a good time to blame E U again as Brexit is severely damaging the economy. And to make matters worse Northern Ireland is outperforming the rest of the UK because they have access to the EU. A fact Boris can’t admit….
Brexit will never end, its political purgatory, or the political version of Groundhog Day. It will never end…
Great news and victory for the Conservatives. Boris is a strong PM who will stand up to the EU
@Maurice O Neill: Thanks for the laugh i needed it. You should be a comedian your good at jokes and making people think your serious.
@Christopher Mulrooney #TeamCaptainMichaelBurnham: The laughs on you if think I’m not being serious.
@Maurice O Neill: time for fresh air, mossy.
@Maurice O Neill: Are you joking? They’re about to break international law and lose the US as a trading partner. All because BoJo wanted to ram Brexit through by a deadline he had set. Funny how in favour of the deal he was at the time isn’t it?
@Maurice O Neill: what’s a victory? The sanctions on breaking International law that they themselves introduced and signed will now happen. They are listening to one party only, and not even their electorate. The protocol is supported by the majority, including business leaders and such.
@Maurice O Neill: Good man. So you support the unionist threat of violence to get their way. How else was the peace process in jeopardy?
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: They are enabling new legislation to circumvent international law.
@Maurice O Neill: And put his Country the rest of the way down the toilet as a result.
@Fr. Fintan Stack: Today is good news day with the new Hospital getting the green light at cabinet
Stop feeding the troll people
@Maurice O Neill: Hate to break it to you, but international agreements supercede national laws. “Circumventing” the laws in this case just means breaking them
@Maurice O Neill: I think one definition of a troll is someone who gets pleasure out of 5 H1Te stirring!!!
@Maurice O Neill: don’t look up
@Fallout Life: Maurice isn’t joking or being serious, he’s just seeking the attention that he craves.
@Maurice O Neill: the fictional character from Star Trek?
@Maurice O Neill: cop on they are sinking faster than a stone and are using this to prop themselves up.
@Darren Matthews: Spot on buddy
@FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: Won’t be long now before this comment is removed my friend
@Maurice O Neill: “They are enabling new legislation to circumvent international law.” – you must be a troll otherwise your IQ would be zero.
They have an international agreement with the EU and signed up for the Good Friday agreement.
Definition of “agreement” – a negotiated and typically legally binding arrangement between parties as to a course of action.
Note it states PARTIES not PARTY – so what they are proposing is to breach the international agreement, good luck with that. They could face sanctions from the EU and the US if they do and a lot of other trading countries/blocks will be slow to sign any sort of agreement with them in case they circumvent that agreement in the future. Go Tories!!!
@Maurice O Neill: yes, which will be contrary to international law, you cab bage. They will face sanctions and penalties galore.
@Maurice O Neill: Hello again, wAnCuuuurrrr… ✊
Johnston is an untrustworthy sc¥mbag who has displayed no sense of honour whatsoever. How can the EU negotiate with the likes of him. Short , sharp shock now required. No more time wasting or footdragging with this sc¥mbag.
They cannot be relied on to keep their word Eurooe will have no respect for them.
@Una Dwyer: and all other countries that have and will sign tradecdeals with them…..need to be wary.
Britain waives the rules….as always
How does it affect trade over the border on the island of Island if Theresa May gets her new “green land” established for seamless trade between NI and Britain? So NI will have open border trade with no checks with two different marketplaces (separate trade agreements and rules) does that exist in the world?
@David Jacobsen: Sorry I meant Liz Truss, not Theresa May
@David Jacobsen: the DUP wouldn’t agree to that at it would make NI different to the mainland UK and that’s against their thinking
@Jim Buckley Barrett: exactly, the DUP want to be seen as the same as mainland UK and don’t give a damn about the consequences
@Jason Walsh: unless it’s women’s or gay rights
About time the EU reacted
The UK are annoyed that N Ireland is the only part of its so called kingdom that’s is doing well
If we have no hard border and goods flow I don’t see a problem. I’ll have the popcorn on standby just incase….
@len len: It’s the quality of the goods that might come down this way if there are checks
@len len: there can never ever be a hard border on the island of Ireland.
There is no deterrent or punishment for the UK going back on a signed deal. These things are done on the presumption everyone involved is honourable. But there’s no actual penalty in place so they’ll do whatever. After how they’ve handled Brexit the rest of Europe should be super harsh on them regarding trade. Make it mad expensive for them and don’t take their word on anything. Tariffs and levy’s to beat the band, and let them pi$$ about on brexit island on their own if that’s what they want.
As a major trading partner that’d hit us badly though.
@Pat Barry: Major? No, only 8-9% of our exports go to UK. MINOR trade partner. What made you think they were major?
What happens between UK and France.
The con artists who falsely engineered Brexit had no understanding or regard for it actually meant in practice for ordinary people. Out of a false sense of moral and cultural superiority they just wanted those grimey foreigners out at any cost. The establishment lied to people & promised a return to the Days Of Empire when nobody told Old Blighty what to do in This green & pleasant land. Unfortunately people drank the Cool Aid and the reality of Brexit is starting to become apparent. BoJo & his cronies didn’t listen, understand or care. They were never gonna suffer or go short. Now they’re trying to make it sound like the EU are the bad guys because the Tories have no intention of honouring the agreement that Boris signed & they care even less about what might happen in Northern Ireland
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