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Border control posts at Northern Ireland\u2019s ports will \u201calmost certainly\u201d not be ready in time due to a dispute over technology with the EU, Stormont minister Edwin Poots has said.<\/p>\nBorder control posts at Northern Ireland\u2019s ports will \u201calmost certainly\u201d not be ready in time due to a dispute over technology with the EU, Stormont minister Edwin Poots has said.<\/p>\n
The UK’s Environment Secretary George Eustice has written to the Northern Ireland agriculture department pressing for action.<\/p>\n
When the Brexit transition period ends on December 31st, some checks will be needed on goods like animal products entering the North from Great Britain.<\/p>\n
That is because it will continue to follow the EU\u2019s regulatory rules after Brexit unless a wider trade deal is secured with the UK.<\/p>\n
Mr Poots said: \u201cOne of the issues that is outstanding relates to IT.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere seems to be a bit of an issue between an IT system used in the UK for many years and the EU\u2019s non-acceptance of that, which will almost certainly ensure that we are not operationally ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Poots wanted to pause the work following the Government\u2019s legislative move to guarantee unfettered access throughout the UK\u2019s internal market.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, he told Stormont\u2019s Assembly Mr Eustice had given a clear expectation to the senior civil servant in his department, who was taking it forward.<\/p>\n
Mr Poots said: \u201cI have no legal remit to stop it, in that all of the advice from the departmental solicitor\u2019s office, and indeed the advice from the attorney general, would indicate that a ministerial direction to an official that would oblige an official to break the law is not a direction that would have any standing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Northern Ireland Protocol, part of the Brexit divorce deal, will see the country continue to enforce the EU\u2019s customs rules and follow its rules on product standards.<\/p>\n
It is designed as a fallback option should a deal not be reached with the EU and is intended to ensure the Irish border remains free-flowing.<\/p>\n