{"id":24770,"date":"2022-01-11T11:39:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-11T16:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24770"},"modified":"2022-01-12T10:42:19","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T15:42:19","slug":"lewis-government-will-not-set-arbitrary-time-frames-for-ni-protocol-resolutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24770","title":{"rendered":"Lewis: Government Will Not Set ‘Arbitrary Time Frames’ For NI Protocol Resolutions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Mr Lewis said that he wanted to see a resolution to differences \u201cas quickly as possible\u201d (PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has said he will not set \u201carbitrary time frames\u201d on finding resolutions to problems with the Northern Ireland Protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was speaking after DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the Government must provide a timetable for when changes will be made to the post-Brexit agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Lewis did say that he wanted to see a resolution to differences \u201cas quickly as possible\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking during a visit to Co Down, he added: \u201cI\u2019m not setting arbitrary time frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs I say, myself and the Foreign Secretary (Liz Truss) will be meeting with Maros Sefcovic on Thursday this week; there\u2019s a series then of talks that will hopefully follow that building on the work we\u2019ve already done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur position hasn\u2019t changed\u00a0\u2013 we need to resolve this in a way that works for the people of Northern Ireland and we want to do that as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want to do that in a way that is sustainable and can deliver for people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Foreign Secretary was handed responsibility for the negotiations with the EU over the protocol after Lord Frost resigned as Brexit minister last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Monday, Ms Truss held meetings with the DUP and Sinn F\u00e9in, after Sir Jeffrey indicated a \u201cpause\u201d on the DUP threat to collapse the power-sharing institutions at Stormont over the protocol pending the outcome of renewed negotiations between the UK and EU over the Irish Sea trading barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinn F\u00e9in deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill said the Foreign Secretary told her that she did not want to trigger Article 16 of the protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday, Ms Truss held a virtual meeting with business representatives in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roger Pollen, from the Federation of Small Businesses, struck an optimistic note after the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the meeting today I think there was a real sense amongst the business community and the politicians present that they know what needs to be done, there is a landing zone, there\u2019s a reasonably good spirit and there\u2019s an expectation that things can be achieved fairly quickly,\u201d he told the BBC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: \u201cWe outlined a number of difficulties many of our members are experiencing when trading with GB-based suppliers and wholesalers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis issue needs to be resolved as a matter of priority to ensure that consumers are given the full product range in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need a long-term sustainable deal which ensures stability, certainty and affordability for the broader business community in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBusiness needs to be a partner in finding a broader agreement which keeps the benefits of the NI Protocol but fixes the problem of GB-NI trade.\u201d<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>