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House of Lords set to debate Brexit

Lord Empey will be among the contributors to a forthcoming House of Lords debate about Brexit. Picture by Hugh Russell
Lord Empey will be among the contributors to a forthcoming House of Lords debate about Brexit. Picture by Hugh Russell Lord Empey will be among the contributors to a forthcoming House of Lords debate about Brexit. Picture by Hugh Russell

The House of Lords will next week debate its own EU Committee’s report on Brexit's implications for British-Irish relations.

The Lords' report was published in December 2016 and identified Brexit as a "huge challenge for Ireland".

It concluded that the distinctive nature of British-Irish relations required a "unique solution" from the forthcoming negotiations between Theresa May's government and the EU.

Tuesday's debate, which will feature contibutions from Lord Reg Empey, Lord Kilclooney (John Taylor) and Lord David Trimble, is regarded as one of the first opportunities to discuss the the British government’s Brexit position paper on Ireland and the border, which was published last month.

The proceedings will begin at 3 pm and will be opened by committee member Lord Jay of Ewelme and Northern Ireland Office Minister Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth will respond for the British government.