Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DUP minister halts ports Brexit check construction work
» Lyons halts » O’neillslams work at ports new minister
THE DUP Agriculture Minister has halted construction of permanent inspection facilities for post-brexit checks on agri-food goods arriving from Britain.
Gordon Lyons has also stopped further recruitment of staff at port and said charges would not be levied on traders.
Ongoing Irish Sea trade checks, which are taking place at existing repurposed port buildings and other temporary facilities, will continue.
Mr Lyons’ decision relates to ongoing work on new purpose-built inspection facilities at ports like Belfast and Larne.
Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill branded the move a “stunt”.
SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon questioned whether Mr Lyons could take the decisions without Executive approval.
He said: “I’ve just let Executive colleagues know that today I instructed my department to halt work on a range of issues relating to work at the ports.”
The decisions come amid the ongoing controversy over disruption caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol, which governs Irish Sea trade post-brexit.
Unionists claim it has driven an economic wedge between the region and Great Britain, and has undermined the Union as a result.
DIFFICULTIES
Mr Lyons said his move was in response to the “practical difficulties” caused by the protocol.
He added: “It’s real nightmare for us and it’s going to be causing us an awful lot of problems.”
The minister’s predecessor and DUP colleague Edwin Poots had also attempted to halt construction last year but stepped back from that position due to the legal obligations.
Mr Poots instead distanced himself from the work and his officials took on responsibility for fulfilling the protocol obligations.
It remained unclear on Friday night whether officials would again be required to proceed without Mr Lyons’s approval.
Mr Lyons cited UK domestic legislation – in the form of the Internal Market Act – in arguing he has “legal duty” to stop the work.
Asked about his obligation to fulfil the UK’S responsibilities under the Brexit international treaty, Mr Lyons insisted he was acting in a “reasonable and proportionate” manner in response to the uncertainty around the protocol.
He said: “I think this is a reasonable and proportionate step to take.”
Mr Lyons said the protocol needed to go.
He added: “My own point of view is I think the protocol needs to be scrapped, it is not working.
“The evidence we have so far shows it’s not working and it’s only going to get worse at the end of the grace period.”
Criticising the move, Ms O’neill said: “Previously, when the former DAERA Minister took a similar stance, his Permanent Secretary (Denis Mcmahon) took forward the Executive’s responsibilities.
“The Protocol is a consequence of Brexit. The DUP championed Brexit & must own the consequences. Business and society need certainty, not stunts.”
Ms Mallon tweeted: “Following the deeply concerning memo from DUP Minister @gordonlyons1 on the ports, I have written to Executive colleagues calling for an urgent meeting of the Executive this evening.
“This decision is controversial, cross cutting and cannot be put into effect without Executive agreement.”
DUP championed Brexit. Business and society needs certainty and not stunts MICHELLE O’NEILL YESTERDAY