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Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 1 May 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 May 2018 (named day). It was answered by Robin Walker (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 May 2018 on behalf of the Department for Exiting the European Union.

Borders: Northern Ireland

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent assessment he has made of the potential economic effect of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after the UK leaves the EU.

Answer

The Prime Minister reaffirmed her commitments to the Northern Ireland and Ireland border in her speech at Mansion House, recognising the unique circumstances in Northern Ireland, and commitment to avoiding a hard border.

The Joint Report also made clear that it is our intention to avoid a hard border and any physical infrastructure or related checks and controls between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

We have pledged to translate all of the commitments made in the Joint Report we published with the EU Commission in December into a legally binding Withdrawal Agreement. This includes all of those on Northern Ireland and Ireland. We remain absolutely committed to doing so. We have always been clear that we will not agree anything that threatens the constitutional or economic integrity of the UK.

We recognise the unique economic circumstances of Northern Ireland. Last summer we published a trade data and statistics paper alongside the Northern Ireland and Ireland position paper.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
139990
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Borders Economic situation Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Brexit
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk