BREXIT BRIEF Brexit Brief Issue 133 - 9 June 2022 - IIEA
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BREXIT
BRIEF
Brexit Brief Issue 133
9 June 2022
Tony Brown
The Brief seeks to provide up-to-date information on the progress and content of the UK-
EU negotiations, and bring together relevant statements and policy positions from key
players in Ireland, the UK and the EU.
The Brief is part of a wider communications programme covering the work of the IIEA’s UK
Project Group – including commentaries, speeches, texts and event reports – which are
highlighted on the Institute’s website. (www.iiea.com)
Introduction Protocol on Ireland/Northern
Ireland
Boris Johnson
The Protocol saga is now concentrated on the
Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived a no-
signalled legislation which would unilaterally
confidence vote on Monday, 6 June 2022,
breach the Withdrawal Agreement –
and remains leader of the Conservative
negotiated, signed and ratified by the UK
Party. He won the ballot by 211votes to
– and establish an entirely new ‘protocol’ in
148 – 59% to 41%. The result was seen
line with UK demands.
as indicating a strong, continuing challenge
to his leadership and reflective of public What is unclear is the political motivation
sentiment that has been communicated of the UK move and the methodology to be
to constituency MPs. Commentators agree applied within the parliamentary system.
that, with as many as 148 votes against him, Does Mr Johnson’s government intend to
the task of governing is likely to become drive the Bill through both Houses and seek
more, not less difficult for Boris Johnson in to apply it in practice, inevitably provoking
the months ahead. EU retaliation? Or is the reality that the
move is part of a strategy related to the
ongoing, but difficult, negotiation between
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Foreign Secretary Truss and the EU’s Maroš have always thought the main enemy was
Šefčovič. A British government source has Irish nationalism, but it turns out it was
been quoted as having told the media that really English nationalism, instead.”
“We want a weapon on the table… it’s like a
nuclear deterrent.” All of these developments are leading to
increasing dismay and concern in Dublin,
There is general agreement that the London and Washington that the Good
preferred option is a negotiated agreement Friday Agreement itself is under threat, not
in which flexibility is demonstrated by both from day-to-day issues capable of solution
sides. It is widely argued that the EU must with goodwill, but from calculated moves
show willingness to change elements of the by loyalists in Northern Ireland and hard
Protocol and that the UK must facilitate line Brexiters in London who never really
its implementation. Business interests accepted the Agreement.
in Northern Ireland are insistent that
they need an end to uncertainty and the Section One: State of Play
establishment of a working Assembly and
Stormont Stalemate Continues
Executive in Belfast.
On 30 May 2022 the appointment of a
Tony Blair, who signed the Good Friday
Speaker for the Northern Ireland Assembly
Agreement, has written that “My judgement
was blocked by the DUP for the second
– with long experience of EU negotiations –
time since the election. No business could
is that things have reached such a state of
be enacted and the Assembly session
distrust that the two bureaucratic systems
was adjourned. The DUP had signalled
will not settle this; it has to be done at the
in advance that it would not agree to the
highest political level because, ultimately,
nomination of a Speaker, and branded the
it is not a matter of technical work but
recall of MLAs to Stormont as a “stunt”.
political will and leadership.” And RTE’s Tony
Paul Givan said that the recall was “another
Connelly has said that “Trust is an essential
attempt at majority rule.”
ingredient in political discussions. Trust that
what is said is what is meant. Trust that an The DUP is expected to maintain its position
agreement is actually an agreement. It’s a prior to the publication by the London
virtue that’s clearly in short supply and one Government of draft legislation to overturn
that could take some time to rebuild.” key elements of the Protocol. Sinn Féin
has insisted that attempts to resurrect the
Another commentator, looking at unionist
Assembly will continue. Michelle O’Neill told
concerns about London’s approach, has
reporters after the latest DUP veto that the
argued that it appears to some unionists
party will “keep trying.”
that Brexit, rather than making Northern
Ireland more distinct from the Republic of Foreign Secretary Truss in Irish
Ireland and preserving its place within the Times 25 May 2022
United Kingdom, is ending up making it more
distinct from Britain and pushing it farther The UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss,
away into the Atlantic Ocean, concluding that contributed an article on the Protocol to the
“It’s a terrible irony, unionists and loyalists Irish Times on 25 May 2022:
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The fundamental basis for successful prospect of one until these concerns
power-sharing remains strong following can be addressed, we need to provide
the recent Assembly elections. That reassurance to Northern Ireland that the
is why I join our Prime Minister, the problems with the Protocol will be fixed
Taoiseach and others in saying it is time one way or another. The UK has a duty to
for all the Northern Ireland parties to get take the necessary decisions to preserve
back to work and create an executive, peace and stability. That is why I have
without preconditions. But, realistically, announced our intention to introduce
the Protocol is now the biggest obstacle legislation in the coming weeks.
to that happening. All parties in Northern
Ireland have recognised that it needs to Minister Coveney in Dáil, 25 May
work better, with the difference between
them being how great a change they The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon
feel is necessary. Coveney, spoke in Dáil Eireann on 25 May
2022 in a debate on Developments in
Our firm preference is to reach a Northern Ireland. Some key sections of his
negotiated solution. I have led six remarks are reproduced below:
months of talks with my EU counterpart,
Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič to try to Right now, the Good Friday Agreement
reach solutions on the basis of the EU’s is under strain, along with the spirit of
current mandate. Despite our intensive partnership that underpins it. It is under
efforts in those talks, it has become clear strain from unilateral action already
that it will not be possible to resolve the taken and threatened. It is under strain
issues Northern Ireland is facing on the from those who refuse to operate its
basis of the EU’s existing mandate. This institutions. It is under strain from those
is because the problems of the Protocol who wrap their actions in the language
are baked into the existing legal text. of defending it but whose actions do not
Without changes to this mandate, we match those words. That is why we are
cannot fix the problems. here this evening.
Our proposed solution will ease frictions Along with others, the DUP has real
in GB-NI trade, protect the Single concerns over the operation and impact
Market and the Belfast (Good Friday) of the Northern Ireland protocol – I
Agreement. It does not mean ripping readily acknowledge that and will return
up the Protocol, but it does mean to it later – but those concerns are no
changes to the Protocol itself so that reason not to stand up and operate
it is achieving its aims of supporting the institutions of the Good Friday
the unique circumstances of Northern Agreement that we all say we are
Ireland and the delicate balance created committed to. Elsewhere we have heard
by the Belfast Agreement. how the balance of the agreement must
be protected and that east–west must
While our door remains open to talks, match North–South. One of the key
we cannot allow any more drift or east–west institutions of the agreement
delay. Without an Executive and no is the British–Irish Council. The
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agreement provides that the British– This Government, through my office
Irish Council will meet at summit level and others, is already working with the
twice per year. The council does meet European Commission to try to ensure
but the current British Prime Minister we respond to legitimate concerns
has yet to attend. in Northern Ireland, particularly on
the issue of making a significant
[…] From the outset, it was always clear differentiation between goods we know
that Brexit would profoundly impact are staying in Northern Ireland to be
Northern Ireland and relationships on purchased and consumed there and
this island. At an early stage, both the those at risk of travelling into the EU
EU and UK agreed that a unique solution Single Market, crossing the Border
was required for Ireland as a whole. moving south. We can take a significant
Reaching that solution required a long, step forward in meeting the demands
detailed and difficult negotiation, with a of many in the unionist community who
shared focus on minimising disruption want to see unnecessary checks gone
and a great spirit of compromise. The on goods staying within the United
solution agreed jointly by the EU and UK Kingdom but, without a partner, it is
became known as the protocol. Despite hard to find a way forward.
all this and the fact that the British
Government negotiated it, it now claims US Congressional Delegation in
that implementing the protocol that we Dublin. Belfast
agreed together is incompatible with
the Good Friday Agreement. This is A bipartisan US Congressional Delegation,
disingenuous and dangerous. led by Richard Neal, Chair of The House
Ways and Means Committee, visited Dublin
This month the UK National Institute and Belfast in late May.
of Economic and Social Research found
that Northern Ireland’s economy was The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon
outperforming the rest of the UK and that Coveney T.D. hosted a working lunch for the
this is attributable, in part at least, to the delegation and several Irish Government
protocol. This corresponds with the clear and political representatives, which focused
message I hear in my engagement with on Northern Ireland, Brexit, the future of
Northern Ireland businesses, which have Europe and the transatlantic relationship,
no desire to be caught up in the politics and the deep ties between Ireland and the
of Brexit or the protocol. They want United States of America. The Delegation
stability and certainty so they can plan was received by President Michael D. Higgins
for the future. Unilateral action or the and met the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.
threat of it does not deliver this, but the
opposite. I spoke to Foreign Secretary Commenting on the visit, Minister Coveney
Truss last Friday, when I made clear said: “The return of in-person visits between
Ireland’s opposition to the UK breaching Ireland and the United States is crucial as
international law and said the UK needs we embark on re-engaging and rebuilding
to get back to talks with the EU. economically post-Covid. I welcome this
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hugely positive opportunity to engage with western world was proceeding unabated
and brief this Congressional delegation on in the Six Counties of Northern Ireland.
key international issues that are affecting
Irish citizens. I look forward to an exchange Through good work and goodwill, we
over lunch on Northern Ireland, ahead of helped to find a path forward. We have
the delegation’s visit there next week, and found solutions time and again to short-
on all aspects of Ireland-US relations.” term disruptions. Now it is the protocol.
A solution through an extended set of
In Belfast, the Delegation met the negotiations on Northern Ireland and
principal political parties. While there was Ireland can be enhanced. Any incautious
controversy over Richard Neal’s statement move to undo the protocol, which was
that the Protocol issue was “not a real agreed to by all sides to address these
crisis” there was a welcome from both issues, would put at risk this durable
Jeffrey Donaldson and Doug Beattie for his agreement that we helped to create and
acceptance that unionist apprehensions which now we should all be celebrating.
over the protocol and the border in the On the eve of the 25th year of the Good
Irish Sea were “legitimate”. Friday Agreement, everything in our
power to protect the unrelenting gains
Throughout the visit the Delegation urged all should be acknowledged. In the context
involved in the current impasse to continue of the moment, the way forward is the
negotiating until a solution is found. It was same as it has been. We need courage,
argued that unilateral action on the Protocol dialogue and leadership from all sides
by the London Government “will not work.” to keep Northern Ireland secure and
prosperous.
Richard Neal in Seanad
The Good Friday Agreement worked
The leader of the US Congressional because it had something in it for
Delegation, Richard Neal, addressed Seanad all sides. It happened because those
Eireann on 24 May 2022: involved acted together in good faith
and the hardest men and women had to
While I of course respect the UK’s
make that agreement. Everybody gave
decision to leave the European Union,
up something to agree to this place. The
it has inevitably posed unprecedented
Republic of Ireland relinquished Articles
challenges for the island of Ireland. I
2 and 3 of its Constitution, which laid
hope we can all focus on this because I
claim, at the request of de Valera, to the
think we are losing institutional memory
North. The UK gave up the Border. The
in the UK. A grim reminder is that 30
world was a witness to these proceedings.
years ago there were 30,000 British
Unilateral actions, intransigence and
soldiers in an area the size of our state
ultimatums are not solutions, nor have
of Connecticut. Anybody who travelled
they ever been. America will continue
there knew clearly what the watchtowers
to nudge and nurture this agreement.
meant and what the Royal Ulster
After all, the Good Friday Agreement is
Constabulary, RUC, meant in that small
America’s too.
geographic area. The longest standing
political dispute in the history of the
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Section Two: The Evolving the vast majority of checks on goods
Debate moving between Britain and Northern
Ireland, provide a compromise on the
Tony Blair Institute Report on involvement of the Court of Justice of the
Protocol EU, and give greater opportunities for
consultation on draft EU laws affecting
The Tony Blair Institute has published a Northern Ireland to representatives from
significant report on the Northern Ireland all sides of the community. It is, at least,
Protocol which proposes practical solution a possible landing zone for resolution of
to the issues of concern arising from the the dispute. It could be done within the
implementation of the Protocol and argues framework of the protocol, but would
that the UK and EU must show flexibility require significant movement from the
in negotiating a clear and permanent EU on its stated position around the
agreement. protocol’s interpretation.
In his Foreword to the report, Tony Blair, My judgement – with long experience
co-signatory of the Good Friday Agreement, of EU negotiations – is that things have
wrote: reached such a state of distrust that the
two bureaucratic systems will not settle
There is no escaping the following:
this; it has to be done at the highest
that the Northern Ireland Protocol,
political level because, ultimately, it
described at the time by Boris Johnson
is not a matter of technical work but
as an “excellent deal” that resolved all
political will and leadership.
the issues around Northern Ireland,
was a bad deal and didn’t resolve those The report proposes new governance
issues; that this was apparent at the arrangements to avoid friction in the future
time to anyone studying the detail; that as Britain diverges from EU regulations
the UK government is now effectively in and for more consultation with British and
disorderly retreat from the agreement it Northern Irish representatives ahead of
made; and that, if left unresolved, the changes in EU rules that affect the North.
issues at the heart of the protocol have It suggests that the arbitration mechanism
the capability of causing an enlarged of the Withdrawal Agreement could be
trade conflict between the UK and the extended to the trade-related parts of the
EU, or undermining the Good Friday protocol, removing the role of the European
Agreement – and quite possibly both. Court of Justice (ECJ).
That said, in the interests of broader The report concludes that there is a viable
European harmony and trade – especially compromise to be struck between the UK
at a time when Europe, including the and the EU, but the key challenge is how to
UK, has come together impressively get there politically. It also notes the risk that
over Ukraine – both the EU and the ‘tactical posturing overtakes pragmatism’,
UK should show maximum flexibility in with the UK not accepting responsibility for
order to reach an agreement. the agreement that it negotiated and signed
and the European leaders unwilling to signal
In this paper, we set out a practical
more flexibility within EU rules for the unique
way through, one that would obviate
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circumstances in Northern Ireland: “If this A remarkable phenomenon throughout
happens, the Protocol will remain a thorn the long saga of the Brexit process has
in the side of their mutual relations for the been the UK’s loss of self-confidence
years to come. Acting unilaterally will not in its own ability to defend its interests
only put the UK in breach of its international through negotiation.
commitments, but it will also put a halt to
any serious efforts to fix the protocol for a The recent announcement by British
very long time.” foreign secretary Liz Truss that her
government intends to introduce
Orange Order Parade, 28 May 2022 legislation purporting to permit it
unilaterally to tear up the Brexit protocol,
The Orange Order of Ireland staged a major a binding international agreement,
display of its power and determination demonstrates precisely the same lack of
in a celebration of centenary of the birth national self-confidence in Britain’s own
of Northern Ireland which was also a negotiating abilities that has driven the
statement of the organisation’s total, entire Brexit process. In other words,
unyielding opposition to the Protocol. “No the Johnson government so lacks the
surrender!” was the message from the Rev confidence in its own negotiating ability
Mervyn Gibson, keynote speaker at the to reach agreement, fairly and legally,
organisation’s rally at Parliament Buildings on the necessary flexibilities within the
before a crowd estimated by organisers protocol, that it has chosen to threaten
to number between 20,000 and 25,000. action outside the negotiations with the
“Let me make it clear. If the Protocol is not EU and indeed outside the law.
sorted then make no mistake - no mistake -
there will be no next 100 years for Northern It is true that, early in the Brexit
Ireland. We will not tolerate any system, negotiations, the UK government
process or structure that will allow checks seemed to be brimming with self-
on any goods trading within the UK for use confidence. British ministers claimed the
within the UK. Equally critically is we will negotiations were set to be “the easiest
not be mastered by no foreign power nor in history” and that Britain “held all the
subject to laws and regulations made by cards”. However, it is now evident that
foreign governments. Until these injustices their brazenness amounted to no more
that make Northern Ireland a place apart than whistling in the dark. In retrospect,
from the rest of the United Kingdom are British negotiators have entirely changed
removed then those we elect will opt out their tune about that period, with some
and stay out of the Executive”. British representatives now claiming the
UK should not feel itself bound by what
Bobby McDonagh on British self- it signed up to because it negotiated the
confidence protocol from a position of weakness
or under duress. Even the swagger of
In an Irish Times article on 2 June 2022, the ministers at the outset of the Brexit
former Irish Ambassador in London wrote of an negotiations turns out to have been a
apparent loss of self-confidence by the British cover for a lack of self-confidence.
government in its international dealings.
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A British government source is quoted Ireland within the EU single market for
as having told the media, in relation to goods. While unionist leaders oppose the
its proposed legislation to override the protocol because it requires EU controls on
protocol, that “We want a weapon on British goods arriving in Northern Ireland,
the table… it’s like a nuclear deterrent. this arrangement also allows Northern Irish
firms to avoid this red tape when trading
Politico on Northern Ireland with their Irish neighbours and the wider EU.
Economy
Developments in Business
A Politico economics feature on 2 June 2022
reported what it described as “unusual gains Official figures show that UK exports to the
for Northern Ireland, the only UK region still EU remain significantly below pre-Brexit
able to trade goods barrier-free with the EU. levels, despite some recovery from an initial
plunge in January 2021 at the end of the
The Northern Ireland economy is growing transition period. Exports had fallen 40% on
faster than Britain’s, according to new the month as traders adapted to the new
regional analysis.by the UK Office of Brexit red tape and border delays, but came
National Statistics found that Northern back to finish last year down 11% compared
Ireland’s gross domestic product grew 1.4 with 2018 – the year used by the Office
percent in the July-September quarter of for National Statistics as the most reliable
2021, compared with gains of 0.9 percent comparison, before Brexit, stockpiling and
and 0.6 percent in Scotland and England, the COVID pandemic affected trade flows.
respectively. Economic activity in Wales
shrank 0.3 percent over the same quarter. Concern is seen to be mounting that fresh
Brexit roadblocks are likely to emerge as
The analysis — based chiefly on the quarterly the government threatens to effectively
VAT returns on sales of goods and services tear up the Northern Ireland Protocol,
at 1.9 million firms — offered no judgment covering trade between Great Britain,
on why the economy of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Despite Prime
normally a laggard, is outpacing other parts Minister Johnson’s claim that the Withdrawal
of the U.K. this year. However, another Agreement, including the Protocol, had “got
recent U.K. economic analysis explicitly Brexit done”, his government now views
credited Northern Ireland’s continued access this central plank of his deal as broken.
to barrier-free trade with the 27-nation EU
as a key driver. Raoul Ruparel, Theresa May’s special
adviser on EU Affairs, during the first
That picture is reinforced by reports from round of Brexit negotiations, is quoted as
Ireland’s Central Statistics Office, which saying that companies could start dusting
has documented record high trade figures down their old ‘no-deal Brexit’ plans if the
between Northern Ireland and the Republic situation worsens. “Any business will tell
since the January 2021 launch of post- you it’s unhelpful. A lot of them are just
Brexit trade rules. Those rules include the getting on with it and they just have to
U.K.-EU trade protocol that keeps Northern make the best of it. But what they don’t
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want is constantly changing trade rules Section Three: Background
with the UK and the EU.” Material and Further Reading
The head of the Confederation of British
Industry, Belfast-born Tony Danker, has
Background Material
stated that politicians from all the major
Dail Eireann Recent Developments in
parties in Northern Ireland, including the
Northern Ireland: Statements, 25 May
DUP, recognise the competitive advantages
2022. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/
of Northern Ireland’s access to both the
debates/debate/dail/2022-05-25/12/
British and European markets. Following
talks with the parties in Belfast, Tony Danker Seanad Eireann Address to Seanad
said that “the major political sides in this Eireann by Congressman Richard Neal, 24
country and in London and Brussels accept May 2022. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/
that Northern Ireland is going to remain debates/debate/seanad/2022-05-24/21/
part of two trading jurisdictions.”
Department of Foreign Affairs Minister
Dutch Prime Minister on Protocol Coveney welcomes US Congressional Visit
to Ireland, 23 May 2022. https://www.
On a visit to Dublin the Dutch Prime Minister, dfa.ie/news-and-media/press-releases/
Mark Rutte, said that the European Union press-release-archive/2022/may/minister-
had shown “maximum flexibility” on the coveney-welcomes-us-congressional-visit-
Northern Ireland Protocol and argued that it to-ireland.php
is crucial that the UK returns to negotiations.
He expressed regret that the UK planned Irish Times Liz Truss: The problems of
to introduce legislation that would override the Northern Ireland Protocol are baked
the protocol “especially in these times when into the text. IT, 25 May 2022. https://
cooperation and solidarity are crucial. It is www.irishtimes.com/opinion/liz-truss-the-
not unreasonable for us to expect the UK to problems-of-the-northern-ireland-protocol-
comply with that agreement. It is all about are-baked-into-the-text-1.4887207
preserving the Good Friday Agreement and
preventing a hard border on the island of Tony Blair Institute Fixing the Northern
Ireland and safeguarding the integrity of the Ireland Protocol: A Way Forward, 1 June
single market.” The Taoiseach commented 2022. https://institute.global/policy/fixing-
that Mark Rutte’s remarks were evidence of a northern-ireland-protocol-way-forward
“deep well of support from our partners across
the world” for the EU and UK to come to a The Guardian ‘Weakness’ of UK
“joint, pragmatic solution” over the protocol. position shaped Northern Ireland protocol
negotiations, David Frost says. Guardian,
5 June 2022. https://www.theguardian.
com/uk-news/2022/jun/05/uk-weakness-
northern-ireland-protocol-brexit-david-frost.
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The Guardian Tory MP sparks Brexitrt Irish Times Tony Blair Institute urges
backlash with call to rejoin EU single market. flexibility from EU and UK in NI protocol
Guardian, 2 June 2022. https://www. stand-off. IT, 1 June 2022. https://www.
theguardian.com/politics/2022/jun/02/ irishtimes.com/politics/2022/06/01/tony-
tory-mp-brexiter-backlash-call-rejoin-eu- blair-institute-urges-flexibility-from-eu-
single-market-tobias-ellwood and-uk-sides-in-ni-protocol-stand-off/
Belfast Telegraph Alex Kane. Veto politics Irish Times Michelle O’Neill: The North
here to stay as it suits DUP and Sinn Fein is being short-changed by game-playing
just fine. Belfast Telegraph, 3 June 2022. Brexiteers. IT, 1 June 2022. https://
h t t p s : / / w w w. b e l f a s t t e l e g ra p h . c o. u k / www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2022/06/01/
opinion/columnists/veto-politics-here-to- michelle-oneill-the-north-is-being-short-
stay-as-it-suits-dup-and-sinn-fein-just- changed-by-game-playing-brexiteers/
fine-41716338.html
The Guardian UK minister says Northern
Newsletter A highly significant Ireland protocol threatens Good Friday
intervention from Tony Blair on the Northern agreement. Guardian, 1 June 2022. https://
Ireland Protocol. Newsletter, 2 June 2022. w w w. t h e g u a r d i a n . c o m / p o l i t i c s / 2 0 2 2 /
h t t p s : / / w w w. n e w s l e t t e r. c o . u k / n e w s / jun/01/uk-minister-says-northern-ireland-
opinion/a-highly-significant-intervention- protocol-threatens-good-friday-agreement
from-tony-blair-on-the-northern-ireland-
protocol-3719040 Irish Times Nothing ‘off the table’ for EU
should Britain set aside parts of NI protocol,
Irish Times Dismissing DUP concerns says Taoiseach. IT, 31 May 2022. https://
as a political ruse is counterproductive. www.irishtimes.com/politics/2022/05/30/
IT, 2 June 2022. https://www.irishtimes. ireland-strongly-supportive-of-ban-on-
com/opinion/2022/06/02/dismissing- russian-oil-taoiseach-says/
dup-concerns-as-a-political-ruse-is-
counterproductive/ Belfast Telegraph DUP’s Paul Givan:
Stormont recall ‘did harm’ to powersharing
Politico Northern Ireland economy arrangements in Northern Ireland. Belfast
outpacing post-Brexit Britain. Politico, 2 Telegraph, 31 May 2022. https://www.
June 2022. https://www.politico.eu/article/ belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/dups-
northern-ireland-economy-outpace-post- paul-givan-stormont-recall-did-harm-to-
brexit-britain/ powersharing-arrangements-in-northern-
ireland-41705228.html
Belfast Telegraph PM calls for ‘more
pragmatism’ and ‘less theology’ on Northern Irish Times Stormont stalemate continues
Ireland Protocol. Belfast Telegraph, 1 after DUP blocks bid to elect speaker. IT,
June 2022. https://www.belfasttelegraph. 30 May 2022. https://www.irishtimes.com/
co.uk/news/northern-ireland/pm-calls-for- politics/2022/05/30/stormont-stalemate-
more-pragmatism-and-less-theology-on- continues-after-dup-blocks-latest-bid-to-
northern-ireland-protocol-41710597.html elect-speaker/
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BBC Northern Ireland Protocol: Assembly Politico Northern Irish unionists dismiss
Speaker blocked by DUP for second time. US congressman as insulting in Belfast
BBC, 30 May 2022. https://www.bbc.com/ talks. Politico, 26 May 2022. https://www.
news/uk-northern-ireland-61627838 politico.eu/article/unionists-dismiss-us-
congressman-as-ignorant-and-insulting-in-
Newsletter Assembly recall to elect belfast-talks/
Speaker ‘is another attempt at majority
rule’, says DUP. Newsletter, 30 May 2022. Newsletter Richard Neal: Northern
h t t p s : / / w w w. n e w s l e t t e r. c o . u k / n e w s / Ireland Protocol not a real crisis but unionist
politics/assembly-recall-to-elect-speaker- fears legitimate. Newsletter, 27 May 2022.
is-another-attempt-at-majority-rule-says- h t t p s : / / w w w. n e w s l e t t e r. c o . u k / n e w s /
dup-3714128 politics/richard-neal-northern-ireland-
protocol-not-a-real-crisis-but-unionist-
Irish News Sinn Fein to ‘keep trying’ to fears-legitimate-3710981
get a Stormont speaker elected. Irish News,
30 May 2022. https://www.irishnews.com/ RTE Northern Ireland Protocol: A
news/northernirelandnews/2022/05/30/ distraction for the US. RTE, 25 May 2022.
news/sinn-fein-to-keep-trying-to-get- https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-
a-stormont-speaker-elected-2727728/ comment/2022/0524/1300780-us-ni-
content.html protocol/
Belfast Telegraph The parties and reasons Newsletter Unionist anger at Northern
may have changed, but it’s the same old story Ireland Protocol claim by senior US Democrat
over recalling Assembly. Belfast Telegraph, Richard Neal in Dublin. Newsletter, 25 May
27 May 2022. https://www.belfasttelegraph. 2022. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/
co.uk/opinion/columnists/suzanne-breen/ politics/unionist-anger-at-northern-ireland-
the-parties-and-reasons-may-have- protocol-claim-by-senior-us-democrat-
changed-but-its-the-same-old-story-over- richard-neal-in-dublin-3707612
recalling-assembly-41694439.html
BBC NI Protocol: Unilateral action ‘will not
Irish Times Tens of thousands of Orange work’, say US politicians. BBC, 24 May 2022.
Order members parade in Belfast to mark https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-
NI centenary. IT, 28 May 2022. https:// ireland-61549050
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2022/05/28/
thousands-of-orange-order-members- Irish News Irish American Brian O’Dwyer
to-parade-in-belfast-to-mark-northern- warns that the transatlantic special relationship
ireland-centenary/ is being jeopardised by British government
protocol ‘shenanigans’. Irish News, 6 June
RTE Future of NI at stake unless 2022. https://www.irishnews.com/news/
Protocol changed, say Orange Order. northernirelandnews/2022/06/06/news/
RTE, 28 May 2022. https://www.rte.ie/ irish-american-brian-o-dwyer-warns-that-
news/2022/0527/1301631-orange-order/ the-transatlantic-special-relationship-is-
being-jeopardised-by-british-government-
BBC ‘We don’t want UK-EU trade war’ – pr-2734070/
Irish PM. BBC, 26 May 2022. https://www.
bbc.com/news/business-61583660
BREXIT BRIEF 133 | JUN 2022BREXIT
BRIEF
Irish Times British claim that protocol Politico Brexit tensions mean Brits won’t
is incompatible with Belfast Agreement get EU science cash, Brussels warns.
is ‘disingenuous’ says Coveney. IT, 26 Politico, 19 May 2022. https://www.politico.
May 2022. https://www.irishtimes.com/ eu/article/brexit-tensions-mean-brits-wont-
politics/2022/05/25/british-claim-that- get-eu-science-cash-brussels-warns/
protocol-is-incompatible-with-belfast-
agreement-disingenuous-says-coveney/ The Guardian ‘Same nightmare week after
week’: UK firms fed up with post-Brexit EU
Newsletter Two-thirds of NI people believe trade. Guardian, 30 May 2022. https://www.
Brexit has made Irish unity more likely: poll. theguardian.com/business/2022/may/30/
Newsletter, 26 May 2022. https://www. brexit-uk-firms-eu-trade-northern-ireland
newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/two-thirds-
of-ni-people-believe-brexit-has-made-irish- Tony Connelly In Plain sight: London’s long
unity-more-likely-poll-3709270 game on Protocol. RTE, 21 May 2022. https://
www.rte.ie/news/2022/0521/1300220-
Irish Times Britain’s position on protocol northern-ireland-protocol
spells difficult weeks ahead. IT, 25 May
2022. https://www.irishtimes.com/ Tony Connelly UK Protocol Bill: The hard
politics/2022/05/25/britains-position-on- or soft option? RTE, 4 June 2022. https://
protocol-spells-difficult-weeks-ahead/ www.rte.ie/news/2022/0604/1302945-ni-
protocol-brexit/
Irish Times Dutch PM says EU has shown
‘maximum flexibility’ on NI protocol. IT, RTE ‘Deep well of support’ for pragmatic
24 May 2022. https://www.irishtimes. solution to NI Protocol standoff – Martin.
com/news/politics/dutch-pm-says-eu- RTE, 23 May 2022. https://www.rte.ie/
has-shown-maximum-flexibility-on-ni- news/2022/0523/1300572-us-delegation/
protocol-1.4886457
Irish Times Challenges around NI protocol
Irish Times Boris Johnson’s true can be negotiated, US delegation leader
purpose in NI protocol dispute is wrapped says. IT, 23 May 2022. https://www.
in contradictions. IT, 24 May 2022. irishtimes.com/news/politics/challenges-
h t t p s : / / w w w. i r i s h t i m e s . c o m / n e w s / around-ni-protocol-can-be-negotiated-us-
world/uk/boris-johnson-s-true-purpose- delegation-leader-says-1.4885454
in-ni-protocol-dispute-is-wrapped-in-
Irish Times Bobby McDonagh. Whatever
contradictions-1.4883156
happened to British self-confidence? IT, 2
Belfast Telegraph NI Protocol: Politicians June 2022. https://www.irishtimes.com/
agree on dual access advantages, says opinion/2022/06/02/bobby-mcdonagh-
business chief. Belfast Telegraph, 26 whatever-happened-to-british-self-confidence/
May 2022. https://www.belfasttelegraph.
Irish Times UK government has ‘not been
co.uk/business/northern-ireland/northern-
very fair’ in protocol talks, says Ahern. IT,
ireland-protocol-politicians-agree-on-
23 May 2022. https://www.irishtimes.com/
dual-access-advantages-says-business-
news/world/brexit/uk-government-has-
chief-41689955.html
not-been-very-fair-in-protocol-talks-says-
ahern-1.4885402
BREXIT BRIEF 133 | JUN 2022BREXIT
BRIEF
Irish Times British diplomat justifies
protocol move due to ‘changing times’.
IT, 20 May 2022. https://www.irishtimes.
com/news/world/brexit/british-diplomat-
justifies-protocol-move-due-to-changed-
times-1.4884050
Newsletter The Northern Ireland Protocol
is not working, says top Labour Party MP
Hilary Benn. Newsletter, 22 May 2022.
h t t p s : / / w w w. n e w s l e t t e r. c o . u k / n e w s /
politics/the-northern-ireland-protocol-is-
not-working-says-top-labour-party-mp-
hilary-benn-3704121
Irish News Tom Kelly: Boris will use
unionists until he no longer needs them. Irish
News, 23 May 2022. https://www.irishnews.
com/opinion/columnists/2022/05/23/news/
tom-kelly-boris-will-use-unionists-until-he-
no-longer-needs-them-2717500/
Irish Times Neutrality and Palestine would
top foreign policy of Sinn Fein government
– McDonald. IT, 2 June 2022. https://
www.irishtimes.com/politics/2022/06/01/
neutrality-and-palestine-would-top-foreign-
policy-of-sinn-fein-government-mcdonald/
Irish Times ‘It is a nonsense’ – how Brexit
disrupted Jewish food supplies to Ireland.
IT, 28 May 2022. https://www.irishtimes.
com/ireland/2022/05/28/it-is-a-nonsense-
how-brexit-disrupted-jewish-food-supplies-
to-ireland/
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