Sefcovic to face questions on NI Protocol at Stormont committee

The European Commission’s vice president is to face questions from Stormont Assembly members on Brexit’s contentious Northern Ireland Protocol.

Maros Sefcovic, who is the senior EU official with responsibility for the Protocol’s implementation, is appearing virtually before a special sitting of the Assembly’s Executive Office scrutiny committee on Monday afternoon.

It is the first time he has briefed any parliamentary committee in the UK on the Irish Sea border controversy.

The European Commission’s vice president is to face questions from Stormont Assembly members on Brexit’s contentious Northern Ireland Protocol.https://t.co/seWFOtSvr4

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 28, 2021

His appearance comes amid continuing dispute over the post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created economic barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

The Protocol, which was agreed by the EU and UK as a way to keep the land border on the island of Ireland free-flowing, has created a series of new checks and restrictions on goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.

Technical talks are ongoing between London and Brussels to try to hammer out ways to reduce the burden of red tape.

A prohibition on GB chilled meats entering Northern Ireland is due to come into force later this week, though the EU has indicated a willingness to grant a UK request to extend a temporary exemption period for a further three months to provide space to find an alternative solution.

On Sunday, the UK Government said it had yet to receive formal confirmation that the EU had agreed to the extension.

Ahead of Mr Sefcovic’s Stormont appearance, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said the EU must back up its words about showing flexibility on the Protocol with actions.

Mr Lewis also made clear the Government would act to “rectify” the “big disruption” caused by the Irish Sea trade barriers.

He blamed the problems attributed to the Protocol on the EU’s “purist” implementation.

However, Ireland’s premier Micheal Martin insisted EU leaders had no desire to implement any trade restrictions that “don’t make sense” and were willing to resolve the dispute over the Protocol.

Taoiseach Mr Martin said the UK had to show a similar willingness to find workable solutions and expressed concern that “domestic politics” in Britain are getting in the way of that.

The UK/EU exchanges are playing out as tensions among Northern Ireland loyalists mount over the arrangements they claim have driven a constitutional wedge between the region and the rest of the UK.

There are concerns that loyalist anger could boil over during Northern Ireland’s sensitive loyal order parading season during the summer.

(Maros Sefcovic will face questions from Assembly Members on the protocol)