MLAs return to Stormont to debate Brexit trade deal
MPs will vote on the agreement in Westminster today
MLAs will return to Stormont today to debate the Brexit trade deal with the EU.
The debate won’t have any effect on what’s happening in Westminster today though, where the bill is likely to pass with the support of Conservative and Labour MPs.
Northern Ireland's MPs are not expected to back the deal in Parliament, with the DUP, SDLP, and Alliance saying they’ll vote against it.
Speaking on behalf of the DUP, party leader Arlene Foster said “Whilst recognising this agreement brings about tariff and quota-free trade between the UK and the EU and thus reducing the impact on the GB to NI trade flows, we still have many negative issues arising from the Protocol.
“On that basis we will vote against this agreement. We will continue to work to mitigate the worst excesses of the separate Northern Ireland arrangements whilst exploring new opportunities for Northern Ireland.”
Our challenge going forward will be to press the Government to get a better outcome in those areas where more work is needed.
These arrangements flowing from the protocol are of course temporary, in that the Northern Ireland Assembly will have the opportunity to revisit the protocol and vote upon it in four years' time.''
At this stage I am going to talk over with other opposition parties to see exactly what is the best approach to take through legislation that we haven't yet seen.''