Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has said that the planned Tariff regime in case of a no deal, as announced by the Government, should refocus minds in order to get a good deal done.
Mr Nicholson said:
“Whilst I recognise that the UK Government have had to publish their no deal contingency plans, it would essentially annex Northern Ireland away from the rest of the UK.
“Under the plans, goods could enter Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland tariff free, whilst it is as yet unclear whether goods from Northern Ireland entering the Republic of Ireland will be tariff free.
“Tariffs will be introduced between the Republic of Ireland and mainland UK, so one would assume that traders from the ROI - and indeed the rest of the EU - will seek to move their goods into Northern Ireland tariff free from ROI, and then onto the rest of the United Kingdom.
“It would be easy to circumvent the tariff regime and I fear this would be to the detriment of Northern Ireland businesses and producers.
“Mr Varadkar is now seeing the nonsense of where the EU has led him to.
“This potential scenario should certainly focus minds on the need for a short technical extension in order to obtain a good deal.”