Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have committed to abandon the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland; and if so, why this has not happened.

The Northern Ireland Protocol is imposing unnecessary bureaucracy and checks, including full customs processes and onerous SPS import requirements for goods staying in the UK. Our overriding priority is preserving political stability in Northern Ireland. The situation as it stands is undermining the balance established by the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and power sharing, and with it political stability in Northern Ireland. It has always been our preference to resolve this through talks. The Foreign Secretary and Vice President Maroš Šefčovič are speaking regularly and officials continue to remain in touch.