Exiting the European Union

Deidre Brock Excerpts

Monday 10th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I am tempted to say to the hon. Lady that, if she looks carefully, I think she will see that I am not capable of a parliamentary ejaculation. [Laughter.]

[Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith) (SNP)]

Hard to follow that one, Mr Speaker.

At a quarter to four this afternoon, I received a written answer that stated:

“The Northern Ireland Protocol guarantees that even in the event that the UK’s future relationship with the EU is not in place by the end of the implementation period, there will be no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland and no splitting of the UK’s customs territory. In so doing, the agreement preserves the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom, upholds the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, and ensures people and businesses that rely on an open border between Northern Ireland and Ireland can continue living their lives and operating as they do now.”

Does the Prime Minister agree?

[The Prime Minister]

Yes. That is what we have negotiated —to ensure there will be no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.