Oral Answers to Questions

Tony Lloyd Excerpts

Wednesday 4th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)]

What assessment the Government have made of the preparedness of ports of entry in Northern Ireland ahead of the end of the transition period.

[Tony Lloyd (Rochdale) (Lab)]

What assessment the Government have made of the preparedness of ports of entry in Northern Ireland ahead of the end of the transition period.

[The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Robin Walker)]

The Government continue to engage regularly with the Northern Ireland Executive as we get on with delivering the protocol and preparing for the end of the transition period. As well as working with the Executive, we are working with port authorities, district councils and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland to deliver protocol requirements at pace. We are also continuing discussions with the EU in the Joint Committee, informed by close working with the Executive, to secure a pragmatic approach to agrifood checks.

[Mr Walker]

The work is continuing. As we have previously set out, we are expanding some existing entry points for agrifood controls in Northern Ireland, building on what already happens at ports such as Larne and Belfast to ensure that new processes are as streamlined and efficient as possible. We continue to work closely with the Executive, port authorities, district councils and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland to take this work forward at pace, but the hon. Lady will recognise that some of these issues are subject to ongoing discussions in the Joint Committee.

[Tony Lloyd [V]]

The Minister rightfully has a reputation as being a decent individual, but will he not now apologise to businesses that so close to the beginning of next year—so close to the new regime coming in—businesses still do not know what regime they are going to operate under? Is not an apology now absolutely necessary from this Government to businesses in Northern Ireland?