Northern Ireland Protocol

(asked on 9th December 2022) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress he has made in negotiations with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol since October.


Answered by
Leo Docherty Portrait
Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
This question was answered on 19th December 2022

The Government is engaging in constructive dialogue with the EU to find shared solutions to problems caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol. The current technical discussions between UK and EU officials are a positive step forward. However, significant gaps remain between our positions. It remains our preference to resolve this through talks - but the situation in Northern Ireland is urgent, and we have therefore brought forward the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill to address these issues.

The Foreign Secretary most recently met Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič on Thursday 15 December, and both they and officials continue to remain in touch. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has had regular contact with Northern Ireland stakeholders throughout this process.

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