Northern Ireland Protocol: Disruption to Trade Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Northern Ireland Protocol: Disruption to Trade

Bob Stewart Excerpts
Wednesday 13th January 2021

(3 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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The next Member has withdrawn, so I now call Bob Stewart—[Interruption.]

Bob Stewart Portrait Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)
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Thank you, Mr Speaker; I was slightly surprised and had to take my mask off.

There are six commercial ports and harbours in Northern Ireland. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the infrastructure is in place, as well as the Government officials required to ensure that traffic coming into or out of Northern Ireland is dealt with speedily and with as much efficiency as possible, perhaps even getting better in the future?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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My hon. Friend is right, and we all recall his distinguished service—not just on the Northern Ireland Committee, but in keeping people safe in his previous career, when he served with such distinction. The infrastructure and the individuals are in place to ensure the smooth operation of the protocol as far as possible. In particular I thank Edwin Poots, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in the Northern Ireland Executive who, notwithstanding his own understandable personal reservations about the protocol, has done everything possible to help Northern Ireland’s farmers and food producers.