AQO 2984/17-22

Ms Emma Sheerin
Sinn Féin
Mid Ulster

Tabled Date: 13/01/2022
Answered On Date: 01/02/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what discussions they have had with British Government representatives regarding the current negotiations with the European Union.

Answer:

Throughout the ongoing discussions on the Protocol we have continued to utilise every available opportunity to outline our respective positions on the Protocol, and to secure the best possible outcome for our citizens and businesses.

We met with Lord Frost and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 26 October 2021, 9 November 2021, 24 November 2021 and again on 14 December 2021 to receive updates on the ongoing discussions between the UK and EU.

Following Lord Frost’s resignation from Government, we look forward to sharing our positions with the Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, who has replaced him as Chief Negotiator. As the Foreign Secretary was out of the country we received a further update on the discussions last week from the Minister of State for Europe, Chris Heaton-Harris, and the Secretary of State.

At these meetings we raised the issues that needed to be addressed regarding the Protocol, and reiterated our need for certainty.

Junior Minister Middleton and Junior Minister Kearney continue to regularly attend Ministerial Cabinet Office meetings, when invited, to ensure that our views on the Protocol are heard and understood by the UK Government.