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

The Deputy made some fair points in the latter part of his question. From the outset, we have acknowledged that issues have arisen in the operation of the protocol, particularly with regard to consumer goods. In my meetings with all political parties in Northern Ireland, including unionist parties, we have acknowledged that. I think Vice-President Šefčovič and the European Union have acknowledged it too. It is now a matter of the European Commission and UK Government seeing if they can resolve those issues. They are in discussions about that. The voice of business, particularly the business working group, has been heard. Over the last year, the Taoiseach and I have been in constant contact with the voice of business to understand its needs. We have highlighted its needs to the British Government in respect of certain legislative proposals that the British Government had because businesses have to make the operational details work on the ground in the end.

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