The UK’s plans to unilaterally amend the Northern Ireland Protocol’s trade rules are “economic vandalism” against Northern Ireland. That is what the Prime Minister of Ireland, Micheál Martin, says to BBC News†
Martin responds to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement. He wants to overhaul the rules on trade in goods to and from Northern Ireland. However, this must be done with the approval of the European Union, because the trade protocol is part of the Brexit deal that both parties concluded. Johnson does not have that approval.
At present, trade in goods between Northern Ireland and the other countries within the United Kingdom (Scotland, Wales and England) must comply with EU rules. Johnson wants to (partly) get rid of that, because the goods are never really in an EU country: after all, only Ireland is a member of the EU.
The Prime Minister wants companies that produce goods for Northern Ireland to decide for themselves whether they want to comply with UK or EU rules. This would prevent a lot of – according to Johnson “unnecessary” – paperwork, and it would hinder trade with Northern Ireland.
However, Johnson would create a ‘hard border’ between Northern Ireland and Ireland with his proposal. Additional checks are required for goods from companies that still travel from Northern Ireland to Ireland or other countries. During Brexit, however, it was deliberately decided not to draw the trade border between those two countries, because in the past a ‘hard border’ between the two countries led to a lot of violence and unrest. A peace agreement was not concluded until 1998.
Martin sees benefits and says Northern Ireland economy is now reaping benefits
Johnson’s supporters – including several politicians in Northern Ireland – support the British Prime Minister’s plan because they see Northern Ireland as a “retarded child” with the protocol: after all, the country is the only part of the United Kingdom that adheres to extra measures. must abide by the rules.
However, Martin believes that Johnson underemphasizes the benefits for Northern Ireland. Free trade is thus possible on the island of Ireland. The Irish prime minister also says he has data that the economy of his neighboring country is “flourishing” under the Brexit protocol, but this is deliberately not emphasized.
The Irish Prime Minister also says the EU has always been “flexible” to resolve any issues and is critical of Johnson’s decision to take unilateral steps now.
The EU has already announced it will take legal action against the UK’s bill. The legal action could take the British government to European courts and lead to hefty fines.