UK urged to re-engage with protocol talks, as EU prepares retaliatory laws

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

The UK has been urged to re-engage with talks on how to improve the Northern Ireland Protocol as three European Parliament committees were presented with draft laws that would be used in the event that the UK continues with its Protocol Bill.

The UK government is progressing legislation to give ministers powers to override elements of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which was jointly agreed by the UK and EU as part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement to keep the Irish land border free-flowing.

This unilateral move has been criticised for contravening international law.

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly was the lead author in finalising a report on the draft legislation, which looks at the measures contained in the post-Brexit trade deal on what retaliatory action can be taken if one side does not adhere to its obligations.

This aims to prevent a repeat of when the European Commission controversially suggested in early 2021 that Article 16 of the protocol could be triggered in response to a row with the UK about Covid-19 vaccine supplies.

Addressing a joint meeting of the European Parliament’s trade, foreign affairs and constitutional affairs committees on Wednesday, Mr Kelly said that the Bill demonstrated the UK Government’s “willingness to be aggressive and headstrong”.

“The UK was a valued member of the European Union for over 40 years, it helped shape where we are today and build our institutions.

“Unfortunately, Brexit and the erratic nature of British politics in recent years has driven EU-UK relations down to a real low point.

“The introduction by unilateral legislation by the United Kingdom government to directly contravene international law with the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill has struck a further blow to trust.”

The comments come a day after a two-day visit to Dublin by the UK’s Minister of State for Northern Ireland Conor Burns.

On Tuesday, Mr Burns met members of the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement at Leinster House, where the protocol and the formation of a Northern Ireland Assembly were discussed.

Mr Kelly told the joint committee meeting that the deadline of the end of October to form a Northern Ireland Executive before another Stormont election is triggered “looms large”.

“This means that September and October will necessitate negotiations with the actual objective to find a deal, not just a series of public statements aimed solely at a domestic audience.

“The unfortunate reality is that the British Government has not engaged in serious negotiations of the Northern Ireland Protocol since last February. This was bitterly disappointing, considering the social and economic consequences.

Of the appointment of a new Conservative Party leader and British Prime Minister in September, Mr Kelly said: “But whoever takes office in No 10, I strongly urge them to come back to the table to progress workable solutions.”

Mr Kelly added: “I hope this regulation does not need to be used, but time will tell, and the ball is firmly in the United Kingdom court.”

The European Council and European Parliament would have to approve the actions that are to be taken.

A date for the final European Parliament plenary vote on the draft laws is yet to be confirmed, but is likely to be held at the end of October. The aim is for the EU bill to become law before the end of the year.