Progress on the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol following a UK-EU agreement in principle is welcome but unfinished business on the issue remains, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. The North Down MP was speaking after Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove outlined to Parliament details of the agreement in principle. “The Protocol is the […]
Provisional agreement between the UK and EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol is encouraging news but more detail is needed, Alliance MP and Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry has said. The agreement in principle over issues including border controls will mean the UK Government withdrawing clauses from the Internal Market Bill. “This is an encouraging development […]
With future relationship talks between the UK and EU at a critical final stage, Alliance Party Deputy Leader and Brexit Spokesperson, Stephen Farry MP, has criticised Boris Johnson and the UK Government for failing to grasp the realities of its choices on Brexit. Dr Farry also stressed that Alliance would continue to oppose the insertion […]
The impending end of the Brexit transition period shows the pressing need for an independent environmental protection agency for Northern Ireland, Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said. The South Antrim MLA was speaking after Environment Minister Edwin Poots updated the Assembly on the latest North-South Ministerial Council meeting, focusing on environmental matters. The […]
It is in the interests of the entire UK for the Prime Minister to “cut the bravado” and keep negotiating with the EU, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. The North Down MP was speaking after the UK Government said talks with the EU over a post-Brexit trade deal were over. Earlier, Boris Johnson said […]
Legal action from the EU against the UK is the inevitable consequence of the UK Government’s refusal to remove its “outrageous and extraordinary” threat to breach international law, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. The North Down MP was speaking after the letter of formal notice was sent from the EU, after its deadline for […]
Alliance MP Stephen Farry has expressed deep concern after the House of Commons passed the Third Stage of the UK Internal Market Bill, with clauses breaching international law. Earlier, MPs had voted 354-256 against a proposed amendment from Dr Farry, which tried to leave out the controversial Clause 45, which the North Down MP said […]
Alliance Agriculture spokesperson John Blair MLA has said he is seriously concerned after a warning it is ‘almost impossible’ to have post-Brexit checks in place at ports and airports here by January. Mr Blair was speaking after Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Permanent Secretary Denis McMahon appeared at the Assembly’s DAERA Committee, where […]
There is an urgent need for the UK Government to to demonstrate it shares the commitment of the EU to implement fully the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and to find a comprehensive future deal, Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said. Mrs Long was speaking after meeting Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, alongside the leaders […]
The Alliance Party has called on the UK Government to honour its previous commitment to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, as the best way forward for Northern Ireland rather than risk irrevocable damage to the Good Friday Agreement. Speaking during an Assembly debate, Alliance Party MLAs argued that whilst what’s currently in place isn’t perfect, it […]