This afternoon.
Via BBC:
The {British] government has confirmed there will be new checks on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK as part of the Brexit deal.
It will expand infrastructure at Northern Ireland’s ports to carry out checks on animals and food products.
The details are contained in UK proposals for implementing the NI part of the Brexit deal.
Northern Ireland will continue to follow some EU rules on agricultural and manufactured goods.
Brexit: Government confirms new checks on goods entering NI from GB (BBC)
Meanwhile…
According to an eagerly awaited paper on how the UK will implement the Protocol, seen by RTÉ News, London has also said there will be no tariffs on any goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, so long as they remain in the UK’s customs territory.
The paper also says there will be no new customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
The document is certain to prompt further disagreements between the EU and UK over the requirements of the Protocol.
The Irish Protocol is not “codified” as a permanent solution, the paper says.
“It is designed to solve a particular set of problems and it can only do this in practice as long as it has the consent of the people of Northern Ireland,” it says.
UK publishes Brexit paper on Northern Ireland (RTÉ)
It’s available here is anyone is interested: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/886289/2020-05-20_Command_Paper__UK_s_Approach_to_the_Northern_Ireland_Protocol-gov.uk.pdf
Thanks H.
Here is the UK Government’s take on it:
The Government has today published its approach to implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol.
•The paper sets out how the UK will meet its obligations under the Northern Ireland Protocol – upholding Northern Ireland’s place in the UK and respecting the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement
•Businesses in Northern Ireland will have unfettered access to the rest the UK market
•There will be no tariffs on goods remaining within the UK customs territory, and no new customs infrastructure
•Northern Ireland businesses will be able to benefit from the new free trade agreements that the UK will strike with countries around the world
The Government has today (Wednesday 20 May) published its approach to implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol, as part of meeting in full its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union.
The command paper outlines how the protocol can be implemented in a pragmatic, proportionate way: one that protects the interests of the people and economy of Northern Ireland, recognises Northern Ireland’s integral place in the United Kingdom and its internal market, provides appropriate protection for the EU Single Market, and respects the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland.
It makes clear that the UK Government’s priority will remain strengthening Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom, and above all, preserving the huge gains from the peace process and the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
The paper also sets out four key commitments that will underpin the UK Government’s approach to implementing the Protocol:
•There will be unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s producers to the whole of the UK market and this will be delivered through legislation by the end of the year.
•No tariffs will be paid on goods that move and remain within the UK customs territory
•Implementation of the Protocol will not involve new customs infrastructure – with any processes on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland kept to an absolute minimum so that the integrity and smooth functioning of the UK internal market is protected.
•Northern Ireland’s businesses will benefit from the lower tariffs delivered through our new Free Trade Agreements with countries like the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan – ensuring Northern Ireland firms will be able to enjoy the full benefits of the unique access they have to the GB and EU markets.
As set out in the paper, the Protocol will only remain in force as long as the people of Northern Ireland want it to. Democratically elected institutions in Northern Ireland will decide whether to extend or end the arrangements in a consent vote that can take place every four years, with the first vote taking place in 2024.
We’ll need more sheds sez the South Armagh boyos