The Ulster Unionist Party has published a number of proposals to ease the problems posed by the NI protocol to the Great Britain to Northern Ireland supply chain. The paper outlines a number of practical measures and legislation to remove barriers currently being faced by businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland.
UUP Leader Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:
“The Northern Ireland Protocol continues to pose serious challenges to the economic and constitutional integrity of the UK. These proposals are an attempt in good faith to provide possible solutions and start a conversation around how we bring an end to the barriers being faced by businesses and consumers.
“We urgently need to see derogations put in place. The balance between protecting the EU Single Market and ensuring Northern Ireland has equal access to the U.K. Internal Market is currently tipping in favour of the EU and the outworking of the Protocol stretches far beyond protection of the Single Market. Consumers in Northern Ireland cannot continue to be penalised, so a way forward must be found.
“The farcical scenes on Friday when the EU triggered article 16 and then spent the days since rowing back from their actions demonstrates the need for real change around the Protocol. This provides an opportunity for both sides to take a fresh look and to come up with solutions that will serve Northern Ireland in the long-term free from the charade that either side holds this place in higher esteem than the other.”
You can read the proposals in full by clicking here