Lords Sub-Committee hears evidence on impact of Protocol on Northern Ireland ports
Tuesday 7 December 2021
From 4:00pm on Wednesday 8 December 2021 the House of Lords Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee will hear evidence from representatives of Northern Ireland port and harbour authorities on the impact of the Protocol on their operations.
At 4:00pm the committee will hear from:
- Kieran Grant, Finance Director, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority
- Maurice Bullick, Finance and Compliance Director, Belfast Harbour
Against the backdrop of the continuing dialogue between the UK and the EU over the future of the Protocol, this evidence session has been arranged to analyse the impact of the Protocol upon the operations of Northern Ireland ports, in particular in the context of the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
This evidence session will be held virtually at 4.00pm on Wednesday 8 December and will be streamed live and available on demand on Parliamentlive.TV.
The questions the committee is likely to ask include:
- How would you summarise the impact of Brexit and the Protocol upon the ports of Northern Ireland, and on the movement of goods to Northern Ireland from Great Britain?
- What impact have Brexit and the Protocol had on overall trade flows and the volume of goods moving via the ports of Northern Ireland and Ireland?
- What are the main practical and logistical issues arising for port authorities under the Protocol?
- Are there any advantages or opportunities for Northern Ireland ports under the Protocol?
- How are the new infrastructure and inspection checks required under the Protocol operating at present?
- What impact have the various grace periods pertaining to the Protocol had on your operations?
- What is your assessment of the UK Government and EU proposals for addressing the problems that have arisen under the Protocol?
- What impact would invoking Article 16 have on your operations and the movement of goods via Northern Ireland ports?
