Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland: Border Arrangements Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland: Border Arrangements

Bob Blackman Excerpts
Wednesday 28th February 2018

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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The interventions by the official Opposition Front-Bench team throughout this week have been more about political opportunism than about principle. The way forward is to take forward the negotiations that will shortly commence in a calm, pragmatic spirit.

Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)
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Given that goods and services are routinely traded across land borders elsewhere in the EU, is it not possible that the political will to achieve the desired outcome is all that is needed? Will my right hon. Friend ensure that we do not sign up to what the EU dictates now but look at the creative solution that has been used elsewhere in EU borders?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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I agree with my hon. Friend on that.