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UK Protocol Plans Taoiseach Describes As 'Anti-Business and Anti-Industry'

14th June 2022
Senior EU figures have threatened a strong response to the UK pressing ahead with a bill that would overturn the Northern Ireland Protocol. Senior EU figures have threatened a strong response to the UK pressing ahead with a bill that would overturn the Northern Ireland Protocol. Credit: RTE News-twitter

The legislation on the Northern Ireland Protocol published by the British government yesterday, has been decribed by the Taoiseach as "anti-business and anti-industry".

Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, Micheál Martin said the action by the UK represented a "fundamental breach of trust".

He said he did not believe that the legislation was well thought out and does not represent the realities facing Northern Ireland businesses.

Mr Martin said that NI businesses were performing well under the protocol and called on the UK to resume negotiations.

However, he warned that there was an issue around trust, with "a lot" of EU leaders now concerned that the UK government cannot be relied upon to uphold any future agreements.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said the controversial plans to override the protocol were a "new low" for British-Irish relations in the past 25 years.

Much more RTE News reports on this including reaction from the London Chamber of Commerce.

Published in Ports & Shipping
Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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