Ulster Unionist Peer, Lord Empey, has challenged the Government`s response to his written question about export declarations on goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Lord Empey said:
“Once again I questioned the Government on their plans for export declarations on goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain only to be given what I consider a ‘half answer’.
“The Government states that ‘we will not require exit summary declarations on those movements’. My reply to the Government is of course we know that the UK Government ‘won`t require’ them, but that`s not the point! The EU will. Brussels is demanding them. The question for the Government is what are they going to do about it?
“Regrettably this play on words is exactly what we saw before the Government, supported by the DUP, agreed to a regulatory border in the Irish Sea on the 2nd October last year. It`s more smoke and mirrors. It`s time that the Government fronts up to what they are doing rather than playing people as if they are fools. It doesn`t wash anymore. They need to make the integrity of the United Kingdom their number one priority in the remaining weeks of the negotiations.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Question from Lord Empey:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to discuss the requirement for export declarations on goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain as part of negotiations on the future UK–EU relationship. (HL7511)
Tabled on: 29 July 2020
Answer:
Lord True:
As set out in the Command Paper ‘The UK’s approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol’, we will ensure unfettered access for Northern Ireland goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, and enshrine this in legislation by the end of the year. The document set out our approach, including that we will not require exit summary declarations on those movements.