Thread by @tconnellyRTE

So, the vexed question of an EU presence in Belfast to monitor + help implement the NI Protocol is going to raise its head again between now and Dec 31. It will be raised at today's Specialised Cttee mtg involving EU-UK officials in Brussels, but it's not the main item

2/ Here's a reminder of where things are at: Article 12 of the Protocol says EU "representatives shall have the right to be present during any activities of the authorities of the UK" relating to the application of the Protocol, in other words, EU officials have an oversight role

3/ The EU wrote the UK in February, following up on a commitment by the previous govt in 2019 for the EU to have a physical presence in Belfast. However, the UK this time flatly rejected the idea. Here is @PennyMordaunt's letter to @HelgaSchmid_EU gov.uk/government/pub…

4/ It was a nasty flare up - the UK basically argued that an EU office in Belfast wd offend unionists, and it would be tantamount to joint handling of checks and controls which in turn was unacceptable from a sovereignty point of view...

5/ The EU took a decision, following a heated exchange in the EU-UK Joint Committee, to let the matter sit. However, officials now say the issue is back on the agenda (in reality, they say, it was never off the agenda).

6/ I understand that discussions between both sides have taken place, but have only moved the issue slightly forward. The UK has argued that EU veterinary and customs officials should fly in and fly out again where necessary...

7/ The European Commission is arguing strongly that for the "effective" monitoring of the implementation of the Protocol, then officials are going to need an effective presence on the ground...

8/ EU officials are not saying overtly that there has to be a physical presence or "EU office". But officials will need "a desk, a chair, a computer, and hopefully a window". The Commission is said to be relaxed about how this is facilitated, also no need for an EU flag etc

9/ Or "fleg" if you're from NI

10/ The key issue for the EU is that the presence has to be effective. If an issue comes up, they don't want a situation where they have to apply to the UK to have a team on the ground and then wait 10 days for clearance...

11/ There's no doubt that in the light of the UK Internal Market Bill (IMB) the issue of trust has become more important, and that has heightened the Commission's desire to have an "effective" presence on the ground.

12/ Member states are keen on this: 14 countries have asked to join today's Specialised Committee. I'm told this is "in light of the IMB".

13/ One official said the EU presence in Belfast is "very, very important." The Commission views its role as supporting UK vets and customs officials (after all, they are non EU staff operating EU rules), and to be on the ground if there's a sudden issue.

14/ Given all of the other problems facing the Protocol - how to determine Goods at Risk, Exit Summary Declarations, state aid etc - there are going to have to be several more Specialised Committee meetings between now and Dec 31.