The Protocol exists to manage the consequences of the Brexit the Prime Minister chose.
The Government must not provoke more acrimony and instability in Northern Ireland.
Instead we need to see solutions, honesty, and leadership.
The Government must not provoke more acrimony and instability in Northern Ireland.
Instead we need to see solutions, honesty, and leadership.
The concerns of unionists are real and deeply felt, but the issues that have caused those concern can be addressed.
In coming days, it is essential the the EU and UK work together to find pragmatic solutions, and help ease tension.
In coming days, it is essential the the EU and UK work together to find pragmatic solutions, and help ease tension.
Firstly, it is vital we create breathing space for businesses that simply won’t be ready for the end of the grace periods.
That’s why we need to see an extension to those grace periods.
Businesses across Northern Ireland need this.
That’s why we need to see an extension to those grace periods.
Businesses across Northern Ireland need this.
Secondly, we need red tape to be reduced in the long term. An agreement on veterinary standards would help that.
Ministers have said they want this. So get on with it, and help reduce barriers down the middle of the UK.
Ministers have said they want this. So get on with it, and help reduce barriers down the middle of the UK.
Next the democratic deficit must be addressed by putting Stormont, businesses and civic society at the heart of making the protocol work.
The Joint Consultative Working Group could be a powerful forum to influence decision-making. It needs to be used much more effectively.
The Joint Consultative Working Group could be a powerful forum to influence decision-making. It needs to be used much more effectively.
And the UK Government must step-up. @ManufacturingNI survey last week demonstrated that business preparedness in Britain was the main factor in disruption to supply chains in Northern Ireland.
We need to see a major information drive to support GB-based businesses...
We need to see a major information drive to support GB-based businesses...
...and the struggling Trader Support Service must be scaled up with trained agents to help ease disruption on trade across the Irish Sea.
None of this is easy, but businesses and communities in Northern Ireland need this to succeed.
They need both sides to search for practical solutions that ease disruption, provide reassurance and ultimately, lower tension.
They need both sides to search for practical solutions that ease disruption, provide reassurance and ultimately, lower tension.
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