Thread by @tconnellyRTE

The DUP's Ian Paisley MP tells the NI Affaris Committee that the NI Protocol shd be "removed" and that Article 16 of the Protocol should be invoked. Describes it as an "unmitigated disaster... Those who advocated for the Protocol have some responsibility for that.

"The protocol is now an impediment to trade. We told you so."

Article 16 of the NI Protocol: "If the application of this Protocol leads to serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties that are liable to persist, or to diversion of trade, the EU or the UK may unilaterally take appropriate safeguard measures.

"Such safeguard measures shall be restricted with regard to their scope and duration to what is strictly necessary in order to remedy the situation. Priority shall be given to such measures as will least disturb the
functioning of this Protocol."

Mr Paisley then berates @Freight_NI for not demanding that Article 16 be invoked. Mr Leheny asks him what the alternative is. Mr Paisley says removing the Protocol is the alternative.

So far the committee has heard evidence of major problems since GB operators have not realised they need customs declarations and prenotifications of food products to the EU TRACES system when sending goods to NI.

Leheny told the cttee that one large manufacturer had 15 lorries of food bound for NI and none of them could move because there was no customs declaration. The driver said, no point or I’ll be detained or refused entry to NI at Cairnryan and Liverpool.

Leheny also says one company sent 285 lorries to GB, only got 100 lorries back to NI. Knock on effect is they can’t service NI exports going back to GB because they have lorries and equipment sitting in England waiting for loads that aren’t ready...

...because businesses in England and Wales haven’t been prepared.

Chair of the committee Simon Hoare MP says it would be "slightly eccentric" to invoke Article 16 just four days into the operation of the Protocol