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

Christopher Chope Excerpts
Wednesday 28th February 2018

(6 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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Christopher Chope Portrait Sir Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con)
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I congratulate my right hon. Friend on not being provoked by the ridiculous statements coming from the European Union on this subject. I commend to my right hon. Friend the wise words of the right hon. Member for Belfast North (Nigel Dodds), because they show that we can have a border with regulatory divergence, as there is at the moment. Why can that not continue into the future?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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We are certainly seeking no hard border and, helpfully, the Government of Ireland are also committed to that objective. Having served six years as Minister for Europe, I am used to trying to resist provocation, wherever it comes from.