Thread by @MichaelAodhan

Thread: There is a very real danger that plans will be put forward in the next weeks that will not be alternative arrangements to Backstop but simply alternatives/mitigations to a no-deal #Brexit. That is not enough for NI biz. Our tests haven't changed to protect our economy 1/

We need unfettered access to UK & EU markets, we need no tariffs, no new VAT complications, we need no infrastructure or delays at the border, we need no new sps checks, controls, costs or red tape for biz/ consumers moving products across the border, over to GB into the EU27 2/

Checks moved away from the border are still checks imposing costs and red tape and damage supply chains. Consumers in GB and NI would pay the price for this. DAERA estimate they would need to do over x100 the staff. 1 retailer alone would need 35 DAERA staff to check goods 3/

The backstop provides a workable, legal solution to every regulatory question affecting the movement of goods - from VAT to SPS checks on cheese. Any alternative must ensure the same check-free, cost-neutral, consumer-friendly solution to trade in goods. 4/

If it can’t do that it will not work. That is the test against which we will measure any new proposals from the UK Government not because of some idyll but because it is what we need not to thrive but to survive. Our economy is built on access to 2 markets. 5/

NI households have 1/2 descretionary income of GB h/holds. Neither they nor NI biz can afford even short term cost rises. That is why any altern arrangements must give same protection as the backstop. They must be proven to work & cannot be simply mitigation to a no deal! /end