Oral Answers to Questions

Gavin Newlands Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

3. What recent discussions the Government has had with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.

[Martin Docherty-Hughes (West Dunbartonshire) (SNP)]

4. What recent discussions the Government has had with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Brandon Lewis)]

Our preference remains to resolve the problems with the protocol through talks. Our door remains open to discussions, but the EU has so far not been willing to make meaningful changes to the protocol, which are necessary to deliver the solutions needed.

[Gavin Newlands]

I thank the Minister for that answer, but the Government walked away from negotiations. By rejecting negotiation in favour of lawbreaking and, in doing so, disregarding the wishes of the majority of MLAs, businesses and the Northern Irish public, the UK Government have utterly destroyed the trust that not only the EU had in the UK, but that Ireland and the United States had too. Trust is easily lost and hard won, so how do the Government plan to be seen as a good faith partner in international negotiations ever again?

[Brandon Lewis]

Last year, we published a Command Paper that set out solutions, with which the EU has never properly engaged. It did publish its ideas in October, which the business community in Northern Ireland said did not work. We have continually been in engagements and negotiations with the EU. It has been clear that it is not willing to show the flexibility needed to resolve the protocol issues, which is why we have introduced this Bill.

The hon. Gentleman might want to look back at Hansard to see the statement from the Foreign Secretary when we introduced the Bill. We are very clear, as I have said today, that we will continue to negotiate with the EU. We would like to seek a resolution by agreeing with the EU, but it is right that we table this legislation at this point as well to resolve the issues.