All 1 Debates between Andrew Rosindell and Shailesh Vara

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Rosindell and Shailesh Vara
Wednesday 7th February 2018

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Rosindell Portrait Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con)
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11. What assessment she has made of progress on maintaining a seamless border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after the UK leaves the EU.

Shailesh Vara Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Shailesh Vara)
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We speak regularly with our counterparts in the Irish Government on a range of issues. In the joint report agreed with the EU at the December European Council, we reached an agreement that will maintain the common travel area. We also agreed that any future arrangements agreed between the UK and the EU must be compatible with the UK Government’s commitment to avoiding any physical infrastructure on the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. We will continue working closely with the Commission to agree a legally binding text for the commitments made in December.

Shailesh Vara Portrait Mr Vara
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Let us be absolutely clear: we have said we will be leaving the customs union and single market. We hope in phase 2 of the negotiations to secure the best possible trade deal with the EU, but we are committed to a frictionless border.

Andrew Rosindell Portrait Andrew Rosindell
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Does the Minister agree that once the UK leaves the EU we will have a duty to protect the rights of Irish citizens under UK law, through the common travel area, which predates Britain’s membership of the EU?