Rishi Sunak is visiting Northern Ireland amid growing speculation that a deal between the UK and European Union To put an end to the long-standing controversy regarding the post-Brexit Protocol is imminent.
The prime minister was due to arrive on Thursday night for “engaged” talks with political parties on protocol, along with his Northern Ireland secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris.
Mr Sunak is also expected to meet the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen later this week, with reports that the two sides are preparing to announce an agreement to ease protocol checks as early as next week.
However, a senior dup Figueres warned that any new deal failing to fully scrap EU law in the province would continue Stormont’s power-sharing impasse.
Nigel Dodds insisted his party would maintain its block on devolution if the Tory government’s own stalled draft legislation fell short of an agreement to unilaterally scrap the deal.
A Number 10 spokeswoman told tonight’s talks: “While talks with the EU are ongoing, ministers are continuing to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that a solution fixes practical problems on the ground.” “
“The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland are traveling to Northern Ireland this evening to talk to political parties as part of this engagement process.”
A technical agreement is considered between Great Britain and Northern Ireland to simplify customs and food and animal health checks, based on British proposals for “green” lanes.
And UK negotiators have reportedly accepted that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) will remain the final arbiter of any protocol disputes – although there will be a stronger role for Northern Irish courts.
While Tory moderates have urged Mr Sunak to make a deal, hardline Tory Brexiters European Research Group (ERG) are displeased with the ongoing role for European judges.
Tory MP David Jones, ERG deputy chair, told Independent: “If this is the basis of a deal, it will not work. We need to get rid of protocol altogether… any deal would be utterly futile and embarrassing if it was unacceptable to the unionist community.
The DUP is currently blocking the functioning of devolved institutions in Belfast in protest against the protocol. In 2021, the DUP set out seven tests by which it would judge changes to the protocol, but is widely expected to reject a compromise deal.
The protocol has been fiercely opposed by unionists
(PA Archive)
In an interview given to an Italian newspaper RepublicLord Dodds said the core issue was “the application of EU law on Northern Ireland … if you deal with it, you deal with it”. [ECJ] Court’s position”.
DUP peer criticizes Sunak government’s decision to halt progress on protocol bill introduced by then Foreign Secretary Liz Truss Below boris johnson Government- While talks with the European Union are on.
“We are not terribly disappointed, but rather outraged by the fact that the government has stalled the Protocol Bill, which clearly they – Sunak, Truss and Johnson – all said was British government policy.”
He said: “If Sunak does not deliver what he promised in terms of the Protocol Bill … he will decide to continue with the impasse in Northern Ireland. It is his choice, it is not a question of his trust. We Just want them to fulfill the promises they made.”
Nationalist MP Claire Hanna from the SDLP said it seemed a deal on the protocol was “imminent”, adding: “I think it’s positive, it’s low friction and maintains double market access, so I think It’s a win for the region,” she said.
Ms Hanna told BBC Radio Ulster that the DUP should be challenged to explain what the consequences would be of removing EU legislation in Northern Ireland.
She said: “I think there are people in the DUP who know that they are hiding nothing if they keep going down this dark alley. We know it’s going to be tough, compromise is tough, any option Not particularly spectacular, but just saying ‘no’ is not an option anymore.
Mr Sunak is not expected to face major difficulties in Westminster, despite the ongoing impasse in Northern Ireland, with the deadline for a new election being postponed earlier this week by a whole year.
It is unclear whether any deal with the EU will require a vote in the Commons. But Sir Keir Labor has indicated Labor will support a deal so it should avoid embarrassment even if there is a major Tory rebellion.
Simon Hoare, Tory chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee told Independent One deal this week would be a “return to adults doing politics in a sensible way”, saying: “Let’s not mess around – let’s just sort the bloody thing out and get it done.”