Business leaders questioned on impact of the Protocol on North-South and East-West trade
From 4:00pm on Wednesday 11 May, the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee takes evidence from retail and industry on the impact of the Protocol on businesses and consumers.
Watch the evidence session: Parliamentlive.tv
Background
Following last week’s Northern Ireland Assembly elections, and against the backdrop of the continuing dialogue between the UK and the EU over the future of the Protocol, this is the third evidence session of a new inquiry into the impact of the Protocol, following on from the Committee’s July 2021 introductory report.
Meeting details
At 3:00pm: Private discussion
Inquiry
Follow-up inquiry on the impact of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland
At 4:00pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry
Follow-up inquiry on the impact of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland
Managing Director, Marks and Spencer Ireland and Northern Ireland at Marks and Spencer
Director of Food and Sustainability at British Retail Consortium
Director of Corporate Affairs at Ornua
Possible questions include:
- What has been the impact of Brexit and the Protocol for trade and the movement of goods between a) Great Britain and Northern Ireland, b) Ireland and Northern Ireland, and c) Ireland and Great Britain?
- What are the main practical issues that businesses have encountered, and what steps need to be taken to address these practical issues?
- What, if any, benefits has the Protocol had? Does it present any potential economic opportunities?
- What would be the impact on your operations of any unilateral action by the UK Government to mitigate the perceived negative impact of the Protocol, for instance by introducing legislation in relation to the Protocol, or by invoking Article 16?
- Is the EU going far enough in addressing the problems that have arisen under the Protocol, and are the European Commission’s proposals sufficient to mitigate the impact of the Protocol on movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- In the context of last week’s Northern Ireland Assembly elections, what impact is the continuing political instability and uncertainty around the Protocol having on business operations?