Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome the restart of negotiations between the EU and UK negotiating teams on the Northern Ireland protocol. It is a good thing. I also welcome the change in tone, in particular, the apology by Steve Baker during the week. It is quite a rare event in international relations these days that someone would apologise. That is also a good thing and he should be commended on it.

My question relates to a matter raised during the Minister's comments. The draft legislation introduced in the UK House of Commons over the summer would, if approved, unilaterally set aside some components of the Northern Ireland protocol. Where are we with that at present? Is it still working its way through the UK Houses of Parliament or has it been paused? If it has not been paused, would the Minister welcome such a pause as a further act of goodwill in advance of negotiations?

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