Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) how, and (2) which, goods and agricultural products will be treated differently (a) in, and (b) from, Northern Ireland as a result of Northern Ireland (i) remaining in the EU Single Market, and (ii) implementing EU Customs protocols, as outlined in the latest EU Withdrawal Agreement.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In the new Northern Ireland/Ireland Protocol, Northern Ireland will only be aligning with those EU rules on goods necessary to remove the need for regulatory checks at the land border. Goods and agricultural products entering Northern Ireland will need to be compliant with the rules of the regulatory zone. Northern Ireland will remain in the UK customs territory but will apply EU customs rules, which are well understood by businesses in Northern Ireland that already trade with the Rest of the World.
The Government has made clear commitments to ensure unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the whole UK internal market. Some practical information will need to be provided electronically on movement of goods West-East, but Northern Ireland will have tariff-free access to the whole UK market.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultation they undertook in regard to Northern Ireland's interests before finalising the latest the EU Withdrawal Agreement.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The department has engaged extensively with representatives of businesses, industry groups and trade unions from Northern Ireland. This includes through the government’s Alternative Arrangements Business Advisory Group and Technical Advisory Group. Ministers are continuing to engage with representatives from all sectors of the Northern Ireland economy.
We also liaised extensively with Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Police Service of Northern Ireland as we developed the UK’s negotiating position on the NI border.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, how they intend to determine if the people of Northern Ireland are content to remain in the EU Single Market following the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Northern Ireland Civil Service was consulted about the proposals for the replacement of the backstop contained in the Explanatory Note: UK proposals for an Amended Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, published on 2 October.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government what alternatives to the Withdrawal Agreement Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland are currently being considered.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As part of the deal negotiated, the UK and EU have agreed to consider a joint work stream to develop alternative arrangements to guarantee permanently the absence of a hard border in Northern Ireland. This includes a legally binding commitment that both sides will aim to replace the backstop with alternative arrangements by December 2020 - and that they do not need to replicate the backstop in any respect.