- Written by John Campbell
- BBC News NI Economics and Business Editor
The Northern Ireland Secretary has specified four “key elements” of a package of measures to restore power-sharing in Stormont.
The DUP has been boycotting Stormont’s power-sharing government for two years, protesting against post-Brexit trade rules.
The deal will reduce checks and paperwork for moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
This change applies to GB goods stored in NI and means that regular inspections of these goods will no longer be required.
These changes include the maximum flexibility allowed under the previous EU/UK agreement, which is understood to be acceptable to the EU.
On Tuesday, the UK and EU jointly reached an agreement to change the agreement to allow NI to benefit from the UK Free Trade Agreement.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, said the result was “the right thing for Northern Ireland and the Union”.
He added that it was time for politicians to “come together and work together.”
“We believe the conditions are right to see Stormont bounce back quickly,” he said.
Now you have exact details in black and white. Or, one might say, given the document’s title, “Defending the Union,” red, white, and blue would be more appropriate.
But beyond practicality, political implications loom large.
After months of lengthy negotiations, the government is now working with the DUP leader to push the plan forward.
The government is desperate for this to work, not just to restore devolution, but so that Sunak’s government can recognize it as a victory.
Already its supporters and opponents are beginning to appear on our airwaves, and the noise on both sides will only get louder in the coming hours.
The DUP had called for changes to the way goods are traded between Northern Ireland and the UK to resolve the Stormont standoff.
The Government will also introduce two pieces of legislation to ensure Northern Ireland products can be sold in the UK under all circumstances and to confirm Northern Ireland’s status in the UK.
DUP leader Sir Geoffrey Donaldson was speaking to the BBC on Wednesday as details of the deal were announced.
Appearing on BBC Radio Ulster’s talkback show on Wednesday, DUP leader Sir Geoffrey Donaldson was asked whether the deal would abolish the Irish Sea trade border and insisted it would.
“For goods coming in from the UK, it was our aim to remove the Irish Sea border and that is what we have achieved,” he said.
“There is no longer a need for a customs declaration when bringing goods into Northern Ireland for sale.”
He added that for people bringing goods into Northern Ireland for sale in Northern Ireland or for their own consumption, “there is no need for a customs declaration and physical inspection (of the goods) at Northern Ireland ports is also required. No,” he added.
The DUP leader claimed this would “remove borders in the UK internal market”.
image source, Niall Carson PA
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“You broke your promise.”
Sir Jeffrey praised Chancellor Rishi Sunak for “achieving in areas where other countries have failed”.
The DUP leader compared the current No. 10 occupant to one of his predecessors, Boris Johnson, who “promised us a lot but didn’t deliver.” ” he said.
“Rishi Sunak has worked with us, the Secretary of State has worked with us, the Downing Street team has worked with us to deliver these changes,” he added.
Sir Jeffrey said the deal was not perfect and had not achieved everything the DUP had hoped, explaining that there was still work to be done on the “key issue” of veterinary medicines.
Westminster leaders welcome talks to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland
The Prime Minister praised the “important steps” taken by the DUP towards agreeing a deal.
At the start of Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Mr Sunak thanked the DUP for its efforts and said other parties had shown patience over the past two years.
He said there were prospects for resuming power-sharing and “strengthening our union and giving our people the local, accountable government they need.”
The Prime Minister added that this would provide a “bright future for Northern Ireland”.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer also described this as a “pivotal moment” and said all parties needed to work together to begin devolution.
Meanwhile, Stormont’s main political parties will meet with the Tánaiste (Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister) Michael Martin in Belfast on Wednesday.
Mr Martin added that the Irish Government “has no problem ensuring the facilitation and seamless passage of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland”.
Northern Ireland’s withdrawal agreement from the EU, the Windsor Framework, keeps Northern Ireland within the EU’s single goods market.
This prevented a post-Brexit trade border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
However, this will mean the introduction of inspections and controls on goods coming from the UK.