Taoiseach urges next UK PM for ‘genuine signal’ negotiated protocol settlement a priority

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has called on the next British prime minister to give “a clear and genuine signal” that their priority is to reach a negotiated settlement on the Northern Ireland protocol.

Speaking in Oxford at the annual meeting of the British Irish Association, he said the European Union would respond positively if Britain abandons its unilateralist approach to the issue.

“I am deeply concerned about the British government’s legislation which would unilaterally undo core elements of the Northern Ireland Protocol, concerned by what it means for the partnership approach. We want to see between the European Union and the United Kingdom, concerned by the wider message it sends about a rules-based, international order and most of all concerned, because it is neither in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland nor indeed what they want. The European Union recognises that there have been genuine difficulties with aspects of the implementation of the Protocol, but we need to address these together,” he said.

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European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic was in the audience for the Taoiseach’s address, along with Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns and a number of politicians from Northern Ireland. Mr Martin praised Mr Sefcovic’s leadership of efforts to find an agreed solution to the practical issues surrounding the implementation of the protocol.

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“I believe there is a path to an agreed way forward on outstanding issues regarding the protocol if we keep our focus on addressing the real problems that affect people in Northern Ireland and on identifying pragmatic and operational solutions, only an agreed outcome between the European Union and the United Kingdom will provide a durable solution and much-needed legal and economic certainty for business and for the people of Northern Ireland,” he said.

“The benefits of doing so are clear. The risks of not doing so are significant. And at a time of great challenge and upheaval in the world, with war in Ukraine, with our citizens grappling, with unprecedented energy prices and cost of living increases, we have an obligation as leaders to demonstrate that democratic, serious politics works.”

History

This year’s conference of the British-Irish Association, which is marking its 50th anniversary, is focusing on the Belfast Agreement almost 25 years after it was signed. The Taoiseach said that history showed that the Agreement’s path of partnership, equality and mutual respect were the only way forward.

“It is 121 days since the Northern Ireland elections and the assembly has not been able to operate or the Executive formed. The North South Ministerial Council is not meeting. Ironically, and despite certain commentary, it is the East West institutions that are the only ones currently fully functioning,” he said.

“It is to the detriment of the people of Northern Ireland that their Executive is not in place to take the decisions and provide the leadership that the north needs, particularly as we face into a difficult and economically very challenging winter.

“It is the denial of the mandate they gave in the elections of the 6 May. What we are faced with is the decision of one political party not to participate in the Northern Ireland Executive and by so doing damaging the functioning of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. It is unacceptable.”