Blank checks
Sea border » PM: Return of is effectively powersharing scrapped says offers ‘brighter DUP leader future’ to NI Micheal: EU rubber stamp for new trade arrangements
GOODS shipped from Britain with final destintions in Northern Ireland will not be checked as part of a deal to restore powersharing at Stormont.
A command paper titled “Safeguarding The Union” commits to replacing the current green lane process with a “UK internal market system”.
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has hailed the move as a key concession that will effectively scrap the so-called Irish Sea border.
He said: “There should not be a border within the UK internal market. These proposals remove that border.”
The measure is part of a wideranging deal agreed between the DUP and the Government set to bring about the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland after a two-year hiatus, with Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’neill as First Minister.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said restored powersharing offered the prospect of a “brighter future”.
He told the Commons: “After two years without an executive, there is now a prospect of powersharing back up and running, strengthening our Union, giving people the local, accountable government they need and offering a brighter future for Northern Ireland.”
The Assembly could sit again as soon as Saturday.
Sir Jeffrey has secured the backing of party colleagues to accept the deal but some within his party remain deeply sceptical of the proposed agreement.
Speaking in the Commons, East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson voiced his concerns as he heavily criticised the Government.
He said: “When the Northern Ireland Assembly sits, ministers and Assembly members will be expected by law to adhere to and implement laws which are made in Brussels, which they had no say over and no ability to amend, and no ability to stop.
“This is a result of this spineless, weak-kneed, Brexit-betraying Government, refusing to take on the EU and its interference in Northern Ireland.”
But speaking at Hillsborough Castle, Sir Jeffrey said he is “confident” his party would work together as he challenged the “naysayers” to detail what improvements they have made to post-brexit rules.
He added: “To those out there who are our critics, who are the naysayers, I simply ask them, and I challenge them, show us what you have achieved, what have you delivered by way of change to the protocol, to the Windsor Framework?
“The DUP is the party of delivery, we are the party that has secured change, and that change has been delivered by a party that has worked together, and I’m confident my party will continue to work together to deliver more change in the future.
“I recognise, of course, that not just my colleagues, but the people in Northern Ireland have concerns about how things may progress.
“There’s a trust issue here. That trust issue is not in me, that trust issue is in whether the Government
»
Assembly expected to adhere to law they will have no say over
SAMMY WILSON YESTERDAY
»
will deliver what they have committed to do. I believe that we have built into these proposals sufficient safeguards and leverage that enables us to deliver what is being done.”
He said he did not have to “sell” the deal, adding: “I have simply asked the people of Northern Ireland to judge the deal on its merits.
“We are being inundated, flooded, with messages of support from unionists right across Northern Ireland. I think these proposals are more than capable of selling themselves.”
Sir Jeffrey once again hit out at TUV leader Jim Allister. He added: “Some of those who are our critics really don’t want Stormont back – that is the reality. Yes, I did share platforms with people. And all of us declared what our objectives were, all of us. The difference between me and those who are my critics tonight is very clear and very simple – I got off the platform and went and did something to secure my objectives. My critics got off the platform and did nothing.”
He also denied his party was divided over the new deal. Sir Jeffrey said: “I don’t accept the characterisation that my party is split.” Under the deal, the post-brexit red lane for shipping goods from GB to NI and on into the EU Single Market will remain.
But the command paper offers measures aimed at reducing the volume of trade required to use that red-tape heavy route with a prediction that 80% of goods will now move free of routine checks.
It is understood the EU has been kept up to date with the shape of the Government’s package of measures. Downing Street has said the deal contains “significant” changes to the Windsor Framework’s “operation”, but is not about altering the “fundamentals” of the framework. But Sir Jeffrey insisted the deal had resulted in “clear” changes.
Any changes to the framework would be examined and decided upon within the existing EU/UK Joint Committee system.
A move already approved by the Joint Committee will see Northern Ireland given barrier-free access to internationally sourced agri-food goods that are currently freely available in GB through UK free trade deals with other countries. Tanaiste Micheal Martin suggested Brussels would have a role in approving the moves announced yesterday.
He added: “I think the EU Commission will look at this. I think that’s the whole purpose of the Joint Committee and indeed the various mechanisms that are in the Windsor Framework is to go through issues as they arise. But I do not anticipate any particular difficulties in respect of the EU side.”
The command paper said the replacement of the green lane ensures “no checks when goods move within the UK internal market system save those by UK authorities as part of a risk-based or intelligence-led approach to tackle criminality, abuse of the scheme, smuggling and disease risks”.
The paper added: “This will ensure the smooth flow of goods moving within the UK internal market.”
As well as moves to cut Brexit bureaucracy on Irish Sea trade, the command paper includes a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the UK.
Legislation will be tabled with the purpose of “affirming Northern Ireland’s constitutional status underpinned by, among other provisions, the Acts of Union”.
The paper added: “The legislation will affirm Parliament’s sovereignty over all matters in Northern Ireland, and address the concern.”