Oral Answers to Questions

Hannah Bardell Excerpts

Thursday 3rd May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Antoinette Sandbach (Eddisbury) (Con)]

6. What recent progress he has made on negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.

[Hannah Bardell (Livingston) (SNP)]

7. What recent progress he has made on negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU.

[Stephen Gethins (North East Fife) (SNP)]

10. What recent progress he has made on negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Davis]

We have said categorically that there will be no physical infrastructure or related checks and controls at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. We have set out clear commitments in relation to the border and have put forward two potential customs models, to which the hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands) alluded.

I have always said that the best solution to the Northern Ireland border issue will be reached through the deep and special partnership between the United Kingdom and the European Union, recognising the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland. As the European Commission has itself acknowledged, solutions to the border issue cannot be based on precedent.

[Hannah Bardell]

Given the fankle that the Secretary of State and the Government have got themselves into in the other place, have not the EU negotiations now descended into a game show parody? The question is, is it “Deal or No Deal”, or has the whole situation just become a bit “Pointless”?

[Mr Davis]

The hon. Lady clearly memorised her question before she heard my answer. A huge amount of incredibly important work is under way, most notably on Northern Ireland. I would not reduce that to a parody.