Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue which offers the opportunity to discuss important developments in Northern Ireland.

The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is an integral part of an international agreement, the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, which was negotiated, agreed and ratified by the British Government and the EU. The protocol was jointly designed by the UK and the EU to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions and to protect the gains of the peace process.

Yesterday's announcement by the Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that he has ordered officials to halt the implementation of post-Brexit SPS checks under the remit of his Department is deeply unhelpful. It only serves to create further uncertainty for people and businesses in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's business community has been resolute in its call for certainty, stability and predictability. They have consistently underlined the importance of Northern Ireland's unique dual-market access under the protocol and have done so again today.

Furthermore, this afternoon's decision by Paul Givan to resign as First Minister is regrettable and clearly has wider implications for the Northern Ireland Executive and its important work. People in Northern Ireland want to see a positive commitment from everyone to resolve issues, not the creation of new cliff edges, threats and instability. No positive agenda is served by the breakdown of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement - neither the Executive nor of the North-South Ministerial Council, which has also been impacted by the political instability in recent months.

The protocol fully recognises the constitutional position of Northern Ireland as set out in the Good Friday agreement. That is clear in black and white. Our focus now, as always, will be on working with the political parties and the British Government to support political stability in Northern Ireland and the effective operation and important work of all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.

I have been in contact today with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, as I was last night, on these developments and their implications for political stability. I also spoke at length on developments with the European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič this morning before his discussions with the British Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, this afternoon. Their talks are progressing and should be given the space and support needed to try to reach accommodation and agreement.

It is our understanding that, as of today, all relevant SPS checks are continuing to take place as normal and that businesses have been advised to continue to follow customs and SPS rules in full despite what the Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Edwin Poots, said last night. The checks required under the protocol are not optional; they have a clear legal basis both in UK domestic law and in international law. Therefore, failure to implement them is a breach of both international and UK domestic legislation.

The protocol is part of the wider withdrawal agreement and is inextricably linked to the trade and co-operation agreement between the UK and the EU. As one relies on the other, if one is not implemented, it potentially impacts on the viability of the other. This evening, I call on the British Government to uphold the law, stand by its agreements, and provide certainty to the business community and other relevant stakeholders. This will allow Northern Ireland's peace, prosperity and stability to be properly safeguarded.

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