Peers warn Brexit talks with devolved ministers must be more effective
The government has been told to 'raise it's game' by a House of Lords committee
Political stability here must not become collateral damage of Brexit. That's one of the main findings of a report by a House of Lords Committee which looked at the impact leaving the EU would have on devolution
After hearing from a variety of sources the report highlights how the referendum result exacerbated divisions within the Stormont Executive.
It came to the conclusion those tensions may have contributed to the collapse of government here at the start of the year.
The committee says leaving the EU will have a significant impact on things like cross-border trade, the agri-food sector, tourism and security.
The concept of special status is described as a politically contentious term which could cause concern within the unionist community.
However the report says the specific circumstances in Northern Ireland will need to be addressed during the negotiations.
There was also a call on the UK government to raise its game when it comes to the body which was set up as part of the process.
The Joint Ministerial Committee (European Negotiations) was set up to allow ministers from the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to discuss the process, but a new report said it "is clear that at a basic level its meetings are not being treated with respect or organised efficiently''.
Peers on the House of Lords EU Committee insisted this needs to change'' as they said the committee should be allowed to agree common positions on the Brexit issues of most importance to the governments in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
The call comes after Scottish Brexit Minister Mike Russell demanded the JMC meetings be urgently reconvened by the UK Government.
In their report, looking at the impact of exiting the European Union on the devolved administrations, peers said they back the view of most of our witnesses that the UK Government needs to raise its game to make the JMC (EN) effective''.
This should include better preparation, including bilateral discussions ahead of meetings, a structured work programme, greater transparency and a willingness to accept that the JMC (EN), even if not a formal decision-making body, is more than a talking-shop'', according to the report
Here the Lords suggested the JMC should be authorised to agree common positions on key matters affecting devolved competences in time to inform the UK Government's negotiating position''
The report highlighted concerns over the apparent deterioration of relations between the UK and Scottish governments'' as a result of the UK's vote to leave the EU.
After almost two-thirds (62%) of Scots voted to remain in the 2016 referendum, the Lords also stressed there is a strong political and economic case for making differentiated arrangements for Scotland''.
However they dismissed Scottish Government calls to remain in the European single market after the rest of the UK leaves the trading bloc as being politically impracticable, legally highly complex and economically potentially disruptive to the functioning of the UK single market''.
The report made clear the integrity and efficient operation of the UK single market must be an over-arching objective for the whole United Kingdom'' during the Brexit process - but addedthat objective does not preclude differentiated arrangements for Scotland in some areas, and nor does it justify excluding the Scottish Government from the Brexit process''.
Ministers in London and Edinburgh need to set aside their differences and work constructively together to protect the interests of the citizens of Scotland in the final Brexit deal'', the Lords said.
While they made clear they did not want new areas of powers to be devolved, the report said the specific labour market and demographic needs of the devolved nations should be accommodated in the context of Brexit''.
Lord Jay of Ewelme, a member of the committee and former head of the diplomatic service, said: Brexit's impact on the future of the United Kingdom will be profound and unpredictable. At the moment the internal politics are pretty toxic, and we saw only last week the start of what could become a deep and bitter dispute on the role of the devolved institutions in passing the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.
We can't afford this. The UK Government must respect the devolved institutions. It's not enough saying it's listening to them-it's actually got to take account of what they say and adjust its approach to accommodate their specific needs. Equally the devolved administrations must work with, not against, the UK Government to get the best Brexit for the whole of the UK.''
This report makes clear Brexit should not be used as cover for a 'power grab', and that powers in areas such as fisheries, agriculture and environmental protection should be returning from Brussels to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast - not Westminster.
A UK Government spokesman said: We have been clear that the Repeal Bill will not take away any decision-making powers from the devolved administrations immediately after exit.
Instead, to protect the UK internal market, some decision-making powers being transferred into UK law will be held temporarily to allow intensive discussion and consultation with the devolved administrations.
As the Secretary of State has made clear, it is our expectation that the outcome of this process will provide a significant increase in the decision-making power of each devolved administration and we are committed to positive and productive engagement.'