Business

Flexibilities and solutions to protocol can be achieved through political and diplomatic efforts

The protocol came into existence because of Brexit and is recognition of the north’s special status. It protects the Good Friday Agreement, north-south cooperation and the all-island economy. Picture: Mal McCann
The protocol came into existence because of Brexit and is recognition of the north’s special status. It protects the Good Friday Agreement, north-south cooperation and the all-island economy. Picture: Mal McCann The protocol came into existence because of Brexit and is recognition of the north’s special status. It protects the Good Friday Agreement, north-south cooperation and the all-island economy. Picture: Mal McCann

WE'RE now almost six weeks into new trading arrangements after the Brexit transition period and the belated Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached on Christmas Eve.

With only one week between that agreement being reached and becoming effective, it was inevitable that a major change in trading relationships between Britain and the EU would create difficulties.

It's very apparent there was a complete failure by the British government to prepare businesses in Britain for the protocol. This created added frictions in trade between Britain and the north.

However, there have been solutions to some problems, on second-hand cars and groupage. Despite this, unionists opposed to the protocol, have engaged in an onslaught against it, blaming it for all the problems resulting from the huge changes to trading relationships after the reckless Brexit they campaigned for, and implemented with no preparation.

The EU made a critical mistake moving to trigger Article 16 giving Brexiteers an opportunity to rail further against the protocol and calling for the British government to trigger Article 16.

The meeting between vice-president of the Commission, Michael Gove and the joint heads of government last week resulted in a statement re-committing to the implementation of the protocol. That’s where efforts need to be focused. Flexibilities and solutions can be achieved through political and diplomatic efforts within the framework of the protocol to minimise difficulties of trade east west.

It’s important to remember the protocol came into existence because of Brexit, it was recognition of the north’s special status. It provides protection for the north from the worst excesses of Brexit and the disaster being witnessed in exports between Britain and the EU. It protects the Good Friday Agreement, north-south cooperation and the all-island economy. An all-island economy with highly integrated supply chains underpinning much of our trade with Britain.

The protocol provides continuing free access for businesses in the north to the 450 million consumers in the European Union. There are opportunities for businesses to take advantage of the protections of the protocol. Efforts now need to focus on identifying those opportunities and supporting businesses to re-orientate and develop their supply chains across the island of Ireland.

Indeed, some businesses have lauded the protocol with providing new business, and the chief executive of Invest NI has spoken of interest being expressed by overseas companies in the north.

Invest NI and the Department for Economy need to put a focus on this, not just on encouraging foreign direct investment because of the unique and special status the north enjoys but supporting businesses here to develop new opportunities for collaboration north/south and to export into the EU.

This needs to be a key strand to the new economic strategy and as part of the economic recovery from Covid-19. Over the past year global supply chains have collapsed, there are real opportunities for local businesses to develop supply opportunities across the island and into the EU, bringing jobs and investment into the north.

There is no good Brexit. But out of the mess it has created, we now need to build on the protections painstakingly negotiated and agreed to in the protocol, to grow and develop our economy post-Covid by helping businesses create and sustain jobs to support workers and their families.

:: Caoimhe Archibald is chair of the Stormont economy committee and Sinn Fein's economy spokesperson