Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BREXIT POSTS: SUMMER DATE SET BY EUROPE
Clock ticking as EU digs in over sea border buildings
THE European Commission expects permanent post-brexit border control posts to be ready in Northern Ireland by the middle of this year.
Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie said the UK had obligations to meet under the Northern Ireland Protocol, which governs the trade in goods from the rest of the UK.
Irish Sea checks required under the terms of the protocol are currently taking place at existing repurposed port buildings and other temporary facilities.
DUP minister Gordon Lyons, pictured, has been challenged by Executive colleagues over his controversial decision to halt work on permanent inspection posts.
Mr Ferrie said: “We have received reassurances that these announcements last week are not going to affect the current work of the temporary border control posts in Northern Ireland, so the relevant checks and controls are continuing to take place as usual.
“We expect the same commitment when it comes to the UK Government’s obligations under the protocol regarding the permanent facilities that need to be put in place by the middle of this year.”
Permanent facilities are due to be built at Belfast, Larne, Warrenpoint and Foyle ports.
Physical construction has not commenced at any of the sites, with work currently still in the design and preparatory phases. The DUP and Ulster Unionists are pushing for the protocol to be ditched, claiming it has driven an economic wedge between the region and Great Britain which undermines the union.
The move by DUP Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons to abandon the building projects at the ports was debated during a scheduled meeting of the Stormont executive on Monday.
Ministers from Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance say he does not have the authority to act unilaterally on issues considered significant or controversial.
It is understood Attorney General Brenda King has advised that, under the terms of the ministerial code, Mr Lyons would be required to bring such proposals to the wider Executive.
Mr Lyons is set to hold talks with Ms King ahead of further discussions on the matter on Tuesday.
Explaining his rationale on Friday, Mr Lyons said his move was in response to the “practical difficulties” caused by the protocol.
However, opponents of the DUP decision have accused the party of engaging in “stunt” politics.