Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will take steps to protect Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the UK in any agreement they have with the EU on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

There has never been a question over Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the UK as a result of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Protocol also makes clear that Northern Ireland remains part of the UK internal market and customs area.

However, I fully acknowledge that the Protocol, in its current form, is causing real problems in Northern Ireland. The Belfast Agreement requires both Unionists and Nationalists to be part of a power-sharing Government, but the Protocol is acting as a barrier to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and a functioning assembly. There is also trade disruption, significant costs and bureaucracy for traders and areas where people in Northern Ireland have not been able to benefit fully from the same advantages as those in the rest of the United Kingdom.

That is why the Government is engaging in constructive dialogue with the EU to find solutions to these problems while proceeding with legislation, which aims to fix the practical problems the Protocol has created. At the core of the solutions, we will ensure the integrity of all parts of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland’s position within it.