Oral Answers to Questions

Joy Morrissey Excerpts

Wednesday 24th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Brendan Clarke-Smith (Bassetlaw) (Con)]

What recent assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations on the UK's future relationship with the EU in relation to Northern Ireland.

[Joy Morrissey (Beaconsfield) (Con)]

What recent assessment he has made of the progress of negotiations on the UK's future relationship with the EU in relation to Northern Ireland.

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

We are committed to working hard to deliver a relationship with the EU based on friendly co-operation between sovereign equals and centred on free trade. The relationship we are seeking will work for all of the UK, including Northern Ireland, and will best serve the interests of Northern Ireland businesses and consumers.

--- Later in debate ---

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend is quite right. First, extending the transition period would bind us into future EU laws, without us having any say, yet we could still have to foot the bill. Secondly, extending the transition period would simply prolong the negotiations and increase uncertainty for business. That is why we will not extend the transition period. This country needs to be able to design our own rules in our own best interests, and that is what we will do.

[Joy Morrissey]

What assurances can my right hon. Friend give that, when discussing the protocol of the EU, the UK will be ambitious in how flexible we can make the system?

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend asks an important question. Our top priority is to protect the Belfast Good Friday agreement and the gains of the peace process to preserve Northern Ireland’s place as a key part of the UK. Our approach is at all times guided by these priorities and sets out how we will meet our obligations in the protocol. The Command Paper that we published in May outlines how the protocol can be implemented in a flexible and proportionate way to protect the interests of people and businesses in Northern Ireland, as well as the whole UK, and indeed the EU. The protocol puts legal obligations on both sides and makes it clear that it is for both the UK and the EU to respect Northern Ireland’s integral place in the UK customs territory. We stand ready to work with the EU in a collaborative and constructive way to uphold the integral role that Northern Ireland has in our community and the role of the Northern Ireland Executive.