Thread by @hayward_katy

There is a lot that is very welcome & very good to see in the UK Govt #Brexit White Paper, from the point of view of Northern Ireland, North/South cooperation & @BelfastAgmt

Here's a wee thread of positivity

bit.ly/2LfeIQk

1/

There is repeated mention of the UK & EU 'meeting their shared commitments to Northern Ireland & Ireland', esp. in Exec Summary.

And it states the UK wishes to see a future UK-EU partnership 'honouring the letter & the spirit of the Belfast (‘Good Friday’) Agreement'.

2/

Evidence of honouring the letter of @BelfastAgmt comes primarily in relation to areas of north/south cooperation.

The Mapping Exercise of cross-border links conducted before the Joint Report of Dec'17 appears to be bearing fruit in the form of specific areas identified here.

3/

AGRICULTURE
The island of Ireland will be considered a single epidemiological unit, e.g. shared measures for preventing spread of livestock disease.

NB commitment here to allowing @niexecutive & North/South Ministerial Council to pursue specific all-island initiatives.

4/

SEM
Another that isn't a big surprise is the continuation of the Single Electricity Market.

Also note here the claim that there's been progress in #brexit negotiations re: legal provision to ensure it is maintained.

(As an electricity user in NI, that's, erm, reassuring)

5/

MRQs
There have been concerns in NI & the border region about potential damage to the provision of cross-border shared services in health, education etc. if professional qualifications are no longer recognised UK/EU.

This is at least acknowledged here as a consideration.

6/

TRANSPORT
The UK & EU agree that conditions for north/south coop. on transport should be maintained. We knew that already (from draft Protocol bit.ly/2FNiG3K).

What is new is UK commitmt to no new permits for NI/IRL transport services (notwithstanding existing ones)
7/

IRISH LANGUAGE
Here's one you probably didn't expect!

UK is to guarantee, through statutory & domestic provision, that Irish language broadcasting from southern-based TG4 & RTÉ will continue.

For interest, here's relevant text from @BelfastAgmt / Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta

8/

JUSTICE

New arrangements on law enforcement & security with EU must respect the distinct legal system in NI (& Scotland).

But no detail at this stage on how to ensure close north/south cooperation between justice (& security) agencies, inc. use of European Arrest Warrant.

9/

Overall, few references to devolved powers.

Proposals for a Governing Body & the Joint Committee for future UK-EU rel'ship promise (vaguely) to represent all parts of UK.

These raise more Qs, which I won't get into here.
(+I'll cover the FTA/FCA in another thread!) 😰

10/10

PEACE

UK 'remains committed' to delivering PEACE programme for reconciliation in NI and the border region.

This is very much a joint UK-EU operation, and there's a firm statement here about finalising plans for the next programme,.

[Missed the big one! HT @DPhinnemore