As @tconnellyRTE reported, the UK said No 🙅♂️
@DPhinnemore & I looked into it.
Turns out ***SURPRISE!! *** it's more complicated than you'd think.
And ALOT is riding on it ...
1/7
rte.ie/news/ireland/2…
They described the rejection as "a breach of trust at this critical stage".
And pointed out that the #Protocol gives the EU a "right to be present" in NI.
2/7
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…
☑️EU wants a technical presence
☑️UK committed to enabling it.
As far as EU is concerned, this is pay-off for giving NI free access to Single Market.
But now UK is demurring cos seems bit of an ouch for sovereignty.
3/7
The scope of Union law applying to NI covers customs, SPS, safety standards, product composition...
EU #Brexit preparedness notices show it will treat GB quite differently to NI in all sorts of areas.
Shit's getting real.
4/7
ec.europa.eu/info/european-…
But we don't yet know what form it wd take.
Anyway for the time being it's primarily a political football ⚽
If UK doesn't play ball in implementing Protocol, EU won't want to commit to another game via a UK-EU FTA.
5/7
But the push need not be all in one direction.
UK cd give EU technical presence but ask for more in return.
E.g. EU office in NI cd have a diplomatic function to increase EU awareness of NI needs.
(Bear in mind Protocol exists due to NI complexity)
6/7
Take a look for more detail + bit of a headsup on the issue that may well prove a big stumbling block for the next set of UK & EU negotiations...
Yup, that'll be N.Ireland 👋
#awkward
7/7
ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/an-…