Michael Gove says there will be GB -> NI checks particularly on agricultural goods. 'We believe it's possible to have light-touch checks which can be conducted on the ferry through transportation which will ensure all requirements can be met.' Joint Committee will 'refine' them.
He adds: 'We want to make sure also those goods which go from the UK to NI and then pass onto ROI are appropriately registered so tariffs can be paid on those if necessary. It's important to stress the amount of trade that goes between GB and ROI that goes through NI is small.'
Gove: 'We want to make sure checks are not so onerous they create financial and administrative burdens for businesses in NI. Less draconian imposition of a new set of burdensome checks more effective implementation of the Protocol in a way that goes with the grain of business.'
Asked about the PM's previous insistence there will be no checks in the Irish Sea, Gove replies: 'The proof of the pudding is in the talking between the UK and the EU about how we make sure that the protocol can be implemented.'
