Political uncertainty could halt creation of port checkpoints

Stormont ministers were to resume debate on a contentious proposal to stall work on new Brexit port checkpoints following fractious exchanges on the issue.

It is understood agriculture minister Edwin Poots wants to halt construction of the new Irish Sea infrastructure after the government’s legislative move to guarantee unfettered access to the UK’s internal market.

In the summer, the government said enhanced regulatory checks would be needed on animals and food products crossing the Irish Sea from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the Brexit deal.

The Executive assumed a legal responsibility for the work so the government could fulfil its international obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Northern Ireland’s main ports have since expanded Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checking facilities in conjunction with Mr Poots’ department.

Stormont ministers held a virtual Executive meeting on EU exit issues on Thursday and when the port infrastructure issue was raised it prompted heated exchanges, involving both rival politicians and a senior civil servant.

A vote to halt the work was defeated but the issue was to be revisited last night.

Attorney General Brenda King was asked to give guidance on whether stopping the work would undermine the legal obligation to carry out a government instruction.

The government has faced intense criticism after it published its Internal Markets Bill.

The Bill, if enacted, would undermine parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol contained within the EU Withdrawal Agreement struck by the EU and UK – and vehemently opposed by Unionists – to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.

Under the protocol, which will kick in if there is a no-deal Brexit, Northern Ireland will continue to follow single market rules for goods and administer the EU’s customs code at its ports.

The terms of the protocol mean extra regulatory checks are required on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

“They have agreed a protocol that I do not agree with”

The new Bill gives the government the ability to override a number of provisions with the protocol.

Mr Poots would not be drawn into confirming whether he intended to halt work on the checking facilities when asked in the Assembly on Tuesday.

He instead said: “We will just have to wait and see how things are taken forward.”

But he made clear that he was not in favour of building the infrastructure, emphasising it was a UK Government decision.

“They have agreed a protocol that I do not agree with, quite frankly,” he said.

Ports such as Larne are being prepared for extra checks on animals and food items