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THERE IS STILL “a long way to go” to reach resolution on the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol, Brexit minister David Frost has warned ahead of a meeting with his EU counterpart.
The UK Cabinet minister will hold talks with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic in Brussels today as the two sides prepare to embark on a fresh round of negotiations on the post-Brexit Irish Sea trading mechanisms.
On Wednesday, the EU tabled a range of proposals aimed at cutting the red tape the arrangements have imposed on moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
However, the plan did not address a key UK demand – the removal of the European Court of Justice’s oversight function in the operation of the protocol.
Ahead of the lunch meeting in Brussels, Frost told Politico that the UK is studying the EU proposals “constructively”.
“Clearly they have proposed some changes; we do need to understand that detail, and we’ve begun that conversation, but there’s quite a long way to go,” he said.
Responding to claims that the UK is trying to tear up an international treaty, including allegations from former chief Downing Street adviser Dominic Cummings that it was always the intention to ditch the protocol, Frost said the UK Government knew some elements of the arrangements would “possibly be difficult to make work in practice” and they were always viewed as “a little bit provisional and open to review”.
He insisted movement on the ECJ is needed.
“They will need to if we are to find a solution, there needs to be significant change if we are to get an agreed solution.”
Rejecting a claim that the UK is acting in bad faith, the Brexit minister added: “Obviously the protocol was agreed at a particular moment. We knew that some elements of the protocol would possibly be difficult to make work in practice, and some aspects of it were left open for the discussions in 2020 and afterwards.
“I don’t think it’s surprising that we found that that was the case … the very fact that the protocol has a consent mechanism (in the Stormont Assembly) in it for four years’ time showed we recognised that it might be necessary to renew or otherwise consent for these arrangements.
“In that sense they have always been a little bit provisional and open to review.”
Sefcovic has said the EU has stretched itself to offer far-reaching compromises but insisted he has no mandate to renegotiate the protocol.
“Now we should really do the last mile, work constructively with all the proposals we put on the table, put it finally to bed,” he told BBC Northern Ireland’s The View programme last night.
“I believe that we could be in the home stretch with our proposals on the table, and, as I said, let’s try to solve all these issues before Christmas because I think that would be the best Christmas gift we can give to the people of Northern Ireland.”
He added: “I have no mandate to renegotiate the protocol … the Withdrawal Agreement, protocol and trade and co-operation agreement, we signed it, we ratified it, it’s international law, and I think we should respect it.”
Suspending parts of protocol
Frost has warned the UK could move to suspend parts of the protocol, by triggering the Article 16 mechanism, if an acceptable compromise cannot be reached.
However, such a move could prompt retaliatory action on trade from the EU.
Amid reports that certain EU leaders are considering the form of potential retaliatory action, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said he hopes member states are not considering a trade war.
“I don’t know the extent to which this is posturing on the part of some of the EU member states in advance of the negotiations but bear in mind that the EU has a massive trading surplus with the UK,” he told Times Radio.
“They sell far more goods into our country than we sell to them. We are a market of 60 million, the second largest market in Europe. Are those countries, especially the smaller member states, seriously saying they don’t want to sell us goods anymore, that they want a trade war? I would hope that isn’t the case.
“I can’t see how it’s in their interest to do that and what we need now is to focus on the negotiations. We’re not contemplating failure, we want to see success. But we are clear that if the EU does not step up and be reasonable in reaching an accommodation, then we do expect that the UK Government will take steps to protect the integrity of its own market.”
Donaldson was also pressed on the claim that Boris Johnson signed up to an agreement he knew he was going to break.
“I have no knowledge of that,” the DUP leader told Times Radio.
“That has certainly never been said to me and I was very much involved at that time. We were in a confidence and supply arrangement with the Government.
“At no stage did any Government minister including the Prime Minister say to me what you have described.”
The DUP leader also indicated the party’s threat to collapse powersharing at Stormont if changes to the protocol are not secured still stands.
“Our position is clear,” he said.
“I hope we can get a solution, but we are not going to continue implementing something that harms Northern Ireland.”
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What this really boils down too is that the Westminster snobs are extremely put out that the Irish have a say in their brexit negotiations. Pure and simple, the current government in Westminster have no respect for the good Friday agreement and if the North ends up in chaos again it will suit them even more. You have to pity the DUP and the loyalist that believe and defend that UK actually care about them.
They want to eat their cake….. question is, will the EU give it to them on a plate?
@John Vectravi: will they give them a spoon or a fork?
@Anarch Eco: nice one centurian.
The Tory government has now admitted that they were determined to ‘get Brexit done’ regardless of what that meant for Northern Ireland. Why would anybody in Northern Ireland want people like that in charge?
Saw a Tory adviser on Newsnight last night claim that ‘most’ of the people in NI were against the protocol. More lies. There is no evidence to support this. It’s a sad fact that the DUP are touted as the voice of NI on the BBC and throughout the British media.
@Mad Worldman: Isn’t it ironic that Prime Minister, Johnson, is on holiday in the EU.
I really hope Simon and Leo tell the eu to dig their heels in on this. Enough is enough. This is not negotiating its one side saying no come back with more. The eu should wake up and smell the coffee
This has been completely hijacked by politicians,a vote should be put to the people in northern Ireland if they want the protocol to remain or not
Why the appeasement?
It’s quite simple really at this stage… let them F… O..! I’ve a pain in my hole listening to them moan and complain about their S/h/I/t/e Brexit mess.
@Brian Kelly: 100% Exactly, I couldn’t find how to express that sentiment without it being too toxic so thanks Brian. An absolute pain in me swiss with the DUP Frosty and Bojo. Wish we could just tell them to F off at this stage.
The UK is like a drowning man refusing a lifeline, insisting he can swim ashore himself.
The “politicians” in control of Westminster make our worst politicians look like professional statesmen. They’ll be signing another version of the NI Protocol, and the ink won’t even be dry when they start with the whingeing again.
This chap is beginning to annoy me…
This is bordering on the ridiculous, first they negotiate a International Agreement, and now because they say things have moved on they want to break it, unless it’s renegotiated. Enough is enough, who could trust them, for the sake of future agreements with the British Government, no more movement with this Protocol, call their bluff, let them Sink or Swim.
Why are we still talking with Westminster? let’s just cut to the chase they are wasting our time. Let’s just cut to the trade war and put some pressure on the tories
Frost reminds me of Oliver twist ,”can I have so more”
have your say