Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have consistently heard in my engagements with business and people in Northern Ireland that resolving issues around the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a key priority for them. This is recognised by both the EU and the UK, which are devoting substantial time and effort to finding joint solutions that address these concerns.

European Commission Vice President Šefčovič met the UK Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in London on 9 January to take stock of this ongoing technical work. They also held a follow-up video call on 16 January. On 9 January, the EU and UK reached agreement on EU access to UK IT systems. Access to these data was a key issue for the EU in building trust and providing assurance. However, both sides also noted that a range of critical issues still need to be resolved. They agreed that their technical teams would work rapidly to scope the potential for solutions.

I have been clear in my engagements with my EU and UK counterparts that it is essential we give the teams space to try to find comprehensive joint solutions. The Government fully supports the approach led by Vice President Šefčovič. I met him most recently in Brussels on 10 January and continue to keep in close contact with him.

Agreeing shared solutions on the protocol will provide the certainty and stability that people and businesses in Northern Ireland need to take advantage of opportunities offered by the protocol, not least access to both the EU Single market and also the UK internal market, a combined market of more than half a billion people. More broadly, resolving the protocol issues will also open up opportunities for greater EU-UK co-operation, which is vital given the shared global challenges we face. I have been consistent in making the point that we should give space to the UK and EU teams to continue the discussions on the protocol in order, it is hoped, that they arrive at a satisfactory resolution to these issues.

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