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UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

UIN HL4725, tabled on 12 January 2023

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the UK–EU Withdrawal Agreement has introduced a border for the transit of goods between Greater Britain and Northern Ireland; whether Northern Ireland is effectively in the EU in respect of goods; and if so, why.

Answered on

26 January 2023

The Protocol is causing real problems for business and society in Northern Ireland. The Foreign Secretary and Vice President Maroš Šefčovič are speaking regularly and the two sides are exploring solutions to tackle the real-life concerns of all communities in Northern Ireland. This includes protecting Northern Ireland's place in the UK.

It has always been our preference to resolve issues through talks, but we have introduced the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill to fix these issues if this isn't possible in the interests of Northern Ireland.