STALLING work on new Brexit port checkpoints will create further uncertainty for Northern Ireland businesses in the mouth of Brexit, it has been claimed.
It is understood the DUP Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots is seeking to halt construction of the new Irish Sea-North Channel infrastructure following the British government's legislative move earlier this week to guarantee unfettered access throughout the UK's internal market.
Mr Poots's efforts to halt the work prompted robust and heated exchanges during a virtual Stormont executive meeting on Thursday night that involved both rival politicians and a senior civil servant.
One source described it as "hot and heavy" and another characterised it as a "shouting match".
The British government has previously said enhanced regulatory checks would be required on animals and food products crossing from Britain to Northern Ireland under the terms of the Brexit deal.
Stormont assumed a legal responsibility to undertake the work that would enable the British it to fulfil their international obligations under Ireland-Northern Ireland Protocol element of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Northern Ireland's main ports have since been expanding their Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checking facilities - in work carried out in conjunction with Mr Poots's department.
But the UK Internal Market Bill tabled earlier this week gives the British government the ability to override a number of provisions with the protocol.
When the bill becomes law, ministers would be able to ditch the requirement for goods going from the north to Britain to fill out export declaration forms.
An executive vote on Thursday proposing the halting of the work was defeated but the issue is due to be revisited when ministers meet again.
Attorney General Brenda King has been requested to provide ministers guidance on whether stopping the work would undermine the executive's legal obligation to carry out a British government instruction.
The meeting had been due to reconvene yesterday but it is understood the advice was not ready.
SDLP Brexit spokesman Matthew O'Toole called for work on te new infrastructure to proceed.
"Regardless of the reckless approach to international law and obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement taken by the UK government, Edwin Poots cannot shirk his legal responsibility to ensure an effective system of SPS checks at ports," he said.
"Backing away from these commitments will only create further uncertainty at a time when businesses cannot afford it."
