Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am agreement with the Minister and many others in that I think the Northern Ireland protocol agreement is delivering a significant economic benefit to the North, although I am not sure whether that message is getting through in a political sense. Unfortunately, as we know, political and cultural differences exist there, and that is the reason for that. The engagement of Liz Truss and Maroš Šefčovič has certainly helped in the present discussions, leading to the relaxation of some of the agricultural issues at the Border, which has significantly helped Northern Ireland farmers, in stark contrast to what is happening to farming and agriculture in the wider UK. There is much to be said for where things are, but the Department has a pre-eminent position in respect of driving a message. Some in Northern Ireland politics do not wish it to be heard but we need to do a better job of getting that across.

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