Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering Excerpts

Thursday 19th November 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord True (Con)]

I disagree with the noble Baroness. The Government are committed to human rights principles and to the maintenance of the Good Friday agreement.

[Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con) [V]]

My Lords, the Northern Ireland protocol commits to “unfettered” access for all goods, including agri-foods. Does my noble friend accept that there will be a new legal obligation for submitting a customs declaration for import and export purposes that will both take time and incur expense to fill in? How does that square with the commitment to unfettered access?

[Lord True (Con)]

My Lords, unfettered access from Northern Ireland to GB will be sustained and there will be no customs checks. So far as GB-NI is concerned, any control will be at a very minimal level, with risk assessment and administration undertaken by UK authorities.