Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Liz Truss will present the bill in the UK parliament on Monday afternoon. Alamy Stock Photo

UK bill to unilaterally change Northern Ireland Protocol will be published on Monday

The Taoiseach said the UK’s plans to act unilaterally over the protocol would be “deeply damaging”.

UK LEGISLATION WHICH attempts to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol without the agreement of the European Union will be published on Monday.

The bill to unilaterally change aspects of the UK’s Brexit withdrawal agreement with the EU will be presented by UK foreign secretary Liz Truss on Monday afternoon.

The protocol ensures there is no hard border on the island of Ireland by Northern Ireland effectively remaining in the EU’s single market for goods. This has created checks on trade between Britain and Northern Ireland.

Reports in UK media indicate UK prime minister Boris Johnson has been warned by Tory Eurosceptics that they will vote against the legislation if there are any attempts to water it down to make it more acceptable to Brussels.

The European Commission has repeatedly rejected UK demands that the Brexit deal be changed.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin this week said the UK’s plans to act unilaterally over the protocol would be “deeply damaging” and mark a “historic low point”.

Martin added that he disagrees with the UK government’s handling of the protocol and accused it of failing to engage with the EU.

Yesterday evening, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill warned the UK Government against unilateral moves to change the protocol during an address to party members in Belfast.

O’Neill said: “Boris Johnson knows that to gamble the protocol is to breach international law and to jeopardise the British Government’s agreement with the EU on their withdrawal and future trading relationship, with colossal political and economic impact.

“The threat of unilateral action by the Tories to legislate and breach international law serves nobody’s interests, anywhere, at any time.”

At the same time, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was addressing a party meeting in Kilkeel, Co Down, where he said there is a “unity of purpose within unionism in relation to the Northern Ireland protocol”.

He added: “Even opinion polls show that the vast majority of unionists support our stance that the protocol must be resolved before devolution can be restored.”

The DUP has refused to allow the power sharing Assembly to meet or an executive to be formed as part of its protest against the protocol, which has created a trade border in the Irish Sea.

Additional reporting from Press Association

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
20 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fozz
    Favourite Fozz
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 10:34 AM

    Who do i send the money to so they then send me back the presidency?
    That’s how it anyways works….I know as I have a guy over there with 24 million quid for me…

    97
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute skin flint
    Favourite skin flint
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 11:36 AM

    I have direct email contact with the prince of Nigeria himself! I’ll try to get you a meeting if you like?

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Inntalitarian
    Favourite Inntalitarian
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 11:54 AM

    original…

    7
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fergalreid
    Favourite fergalreid
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 11:58 AM

    I’ll take anything at this stage that isn’t a comment about Irish Water.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute HULK SMASH!
    Favourite HULK SMASH!
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 10:47 AM

    I won the Nigerian lottery last week so I can afford to run no probs

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Masterson
    Favourite Ciarán Masterson
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 12:42 PM

    @HULK

    Very funny.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute neimad
    Favourite neimad
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 10:35 AM

    We all know the story, the whole planet knows the story.

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute skin flint
    Favourite skin flint
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 11:37 AM

    Why did i read that in al pacino’s voice?

    We aaawwl know, the stoorey. This whole damn PLANET…..knows th’ stoorey..

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Owen Lynch
    Favourite Owen Lynch
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 10:51 AM

    The 405000 Nairs no problem but you also need to be able to rig the ballot box look what happened Abiola won the election ended up in jail and somehow died.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Hickey
    Favourite Martin Hickey
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 10:39 AM

    We have just the man for ye over here top man enda kenny is he’s name, and that’s he’s monthly salary so no probs on that front.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Masterson
    Favourite Ciarán Masterson
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 12:45 PM

    There are corruption, suicide bombings, beheadings and mass-abduction of children in Nigeria, people are being tortured and ruled by a dictator in Zimbabwe and many women have been raped and/or murdered or have been killed by botched sterilisation procedures in India. It makes me think that the people of these countries were better off when these countries were ruled by the British.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute LiquidPaddy
    Favourite LiquidPaddy
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 10:59 AM

    Jasus lads, you’ll give Bertie ideas now.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anto O'Connor
    Favourite Anto O'Connor
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 11:32 AM

    Sounds like a perfect scam for Dennis obriens portfolios

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean
    Favourite Sean
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 11:14 AM

    Adonbilivit

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Burke
    Favourite Declan Burke
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 2:02 PM

    If your in a political party here it costs nothing to run for a European election. If your not it costs 1500.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leslie Skinner
    Favourite Leslie Skinner
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 12:42 PM

    Donations can be had from Ireland

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steven Geoghegan
    Favourite Steven Geoghegan
    Report
    Nov 16th 2014, 9:44 PM

    Just need your bank account details blah blah blah

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel