Call for 'radical' action on Irish Sea border - as government claims Windsor Framework 'protects UK market'
A DUP MLA says “radical” action is needed on the Windsor Framework, not “tinkering around the edges” – after the government reaffirmed its commitment to the Irish Sea border arrangements.
London this week announced more details on its plans for a deal with Brussels which it says would reduce checks on goods travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and the EU.
Asked why its has not pressed for a renegotiation of the post-Brexit trade deal if the markets will be aligned, the UK government defended the controversial arrangements – which are opposed by all unionist parties at Stormont.
A spokesperson said the deal “addresses Northern Ireland’s unique and complex circumstances, safeguards the Good Friday Agreement and protects the UK internal market”.
They added: “We are negotiating a vital new SPS agreement and will continue to implement the existing arrangements. Once implemented, the SPS agreement will facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood and plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, reducing costs for businesses and improving consumer choice”.
However, DUP MLA Trevor Clarke says the deal will not fix the problems caused by EU law in the province.
He told the News Letter: “We believe the Government should be radical in moving on from the Windsor Framework and not tinkering around the edges of it or treating the symptoms. It is a constitutional affront to our integral position within the Union and its internal market.
“An SPS agreement reached in principle between the United Kingdom and the EU may help ease the flow of agri-food trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but it will not be a silver bullet to the host of problems created by the application of EU law only in Northern Ireland.
“To date, the UK Government’s policy has been one of bringing about the diversion and reorientation of UK trade, with an increasing number of Statutory Instruments being passed by Westminster which incrementally increase costs for the consumer and business. Combined this all leads to significant practical challenges for those businesses and sectors affected.
“Northern Ireland is being disadvantaged, and the extension of the Maritime emissions trading scheme is further evidence of the detrimental impact of the ongoing EU rules that apply to Northern Ireland only. The DUP raised these fundamental issues directly with the Prime Minster on Thursday and challenged him to change course”.