Northern Ireland Protocol: Disruption to Trade Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Northern Ireland Protocol: Disruption to Trade

Felicity Buchan Excerpts
Wednesday 13th January 2021

(3 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising that terrible case. We will get straight on it and look specifically at how we can ensure that her constituent receives the products she needs.

On the broader point about working to ensure that the protocol operates effectively and safeguards the integrity of the United Kingdom, I thank the hon. Lady for her work; as well as Minister Poots, I also thank Minister Diane Dodds and the First Minister, Arlene Foster, for raising these issues with me in a timely and urgent fashion.

Felicity Buchan Portrait Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)
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I know that the Union is very important to my right hon. Friend—as it is to me; we are both Scots born. Will he reassure me that he will do everything to ensure unfettered access between GB and Northern Ireland?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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Yes, absolutely. Let me stress again that many of us in this House had reservations about aspects of the protocol, but now that it is in place, we have to do everything possible in order to ensure that it works for the people of Northern Ireland. They are an integral part of the United Kingdom. It is our moral duty to do everything to stand up for them.