merrion street

I welcome today’s announcement, by Commission President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Sunak, that the EU and UK have reached agreement on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

The EU and the UK have engaged in serious and substantive discussions over recent months on a range of important and complex issues. It is very positive that both sides have listened and followed through on their commitments to reach sustainable joint solutions for people and businesses in Northern Ireland.

Today’s agreement, the ‘Windsor Framework’, addresses the real-life concerns raised in Northern Ireland about the movement of goods.

These new arrangements are a testament to the hard work of Vice-President Šefčovič and his team, to their unwavering commitment to finding lasting solutions for the benefit of all in Northern Ireland. 

I have seen first-hand in my engagements with my EU counterparts, their steadfast support for Northern Ireland.

I believe we now have a real opportunity for us all to move into a new and more positive phase of EU-UK relations, and to face into global challenges as partners.

ENDS