Lord Empey has stated that we should be looking at a Customs Union between Ireland and the UK and onward negotiations with Brussels.
Intervening in a debate on the Prime Minister's report to Parliament on the meeting last week of the European Council, UUP Peer Lord Empey, asked the leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, to agree with him that to solve the questions arising from Brexit and the Irish border, it was impossible to do this without knowing the context within which trade will be conducted between the EU and the UK.
Lord Empey said:
“I am pleased to say that Baroness Evans (a full member of the Cabinet) agreed that this was a big issue and that the trading relationship was key to a settlement.
“I hope that Brussels takes this on board. It is utterly impossible to resolve Ireland's relationship with the UK without knowing how our customs and trading relationship will develop. 90% of Ireland's exports go either to the UK or via the UK. The Republic needs special status, and we should be looking at a Customs Union between Ireland and the UK and onward negotiations with Brussels thereafter.”