“That is a key commitment that the UK Government gave in the New Decade, New Approach agreement and we need to see that honoured, either in an agreement with the EU that removes this Irish Sea border, or in unilateral action by the UK Government triggering Article 16 and restoring Northern Ireland’s place fully in the UK internal market. “The Government has made clear that the conditions have already been met to trigger Article 16, and for the UK to take unilateral action to address the difficulties created by the protocol and to replace it with new arrangements that protect Northern Ireland’s place within the UK internal market,” he said.Ġ9.11.21 Leo Varadkar: Ireland has 'contingency preparations' ready in case of EU-UK trade war He today welcomed a “more positive tone from the EU”, but urged a “sharper focus now on finding a solution that deals with the problems that have been created by this entirely unacceptable Irish Sea border”. However, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has today urged the UK government to honour its commitment to protect Northern Ireland’s place within the UK internal market. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said this afternoon that outstanding issues around the Protocol “could be overcome if the British Government worked in partnership with the EU”. “In this context, although talks had so far been conducted in a constructive spirit, Lord Frost underlined that in order to make progress, it was important to bring new energy and impetus to discussions.” “Lord Frost also underlined the need to address the full range of issues the UK had identified in the course of discussions, if a comprehensive and durable solution was to be found that supported the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and was in the best interests of Northern Ireland. “He noted that, as set out to the House of Lords on 10 November, it remained the UK’s preference to find a consensual way forward, but that Article 16 safeguards were a legitimate part of the protocol’s provisions. He said he was “convinced the the issue of medicines could be a blueprint for how to approach and solve together the remaining outstanding issues” between the UK and the trading bloc.įollowing the talks, a UK Government spokesman said: “Lord Frost noted that there remained significant gaps to be bridged between the UK and EU positions. He told reporters the UK needed to “reciprocate the big move the EU has made” on the Northern Ireland Protocol. Sefcovic said: “I acknowledge and welcome the change in tone of discussion with David Frost today, and I hope this will lead to tangible results for the people in Northern Ireland.” He also said there had been a “change in tone” from Brexit Minister David Frost in the fourth round of talks held with the UK Government. “An uninterrupted long-term supply of medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is the protocol-related issue on everyone’s mind in Northern Ireland.” “This is particularly important as regards the issue of medicines. “That is also why I raised forcefully that we need to make serious headway in the course of next week. It comes after the UK Government appeared to soften its stance on using the protocol’s get-out clause, describing Article 16 as a “legitimate part of the protocol’s provisions” while stressing there was a “preference to find a consensual way forward”.Īt a press conference following the latest round of talks held in London today, Sefcovic said: “We can and must arrive at the agreed solution that Northern Ireland truly deserves. However European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said there had been a “change in tone” from the UK during the latest round of negotiations. “SERIOUS HEADWAY” NEEDS to be made in negotiations over the Northern Ireland Protocol in the next week, the EU has said.
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