Lord Frost to give evidence to Lords Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland committee
Tuesday 13 July 2021
On Wednesday 14 July 2021 the Cabinet Office Minister Lord Frost will give evidence to the Lords committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland on his ministerial responsibilities for implementation of the Protocol.
He will be joined by the Director and Deputy Director of the Cabinet Office’s Northern Ireland/Ireland Unit, Rebecca Ellis and Mark Davies.
This evidence session, which will begin at 4.15pm, will be held remotely and streamed on Parliament TV.
The questions the committee is likely to ask include:
- Has the UK Government’s rhetoric over the Protocol undermined trust and relations with the EU?
- When will the Government set out its proposals for the future of the Protocol?
- What are the main outstanding issues that need to be addressed in relation to the operation of the Protocol?
- What is your response to the package of measures announced by the EU on 30 June, including the extension of the grace period on chilled meats, the supply of medicines, the movement of guide dogs and re-tagging of animals?
- What progress has been made in relation to an SPS/veterinary agreement?
- How is the Government engaging with GB businesses about the requirements of trade with Northern Ireland under the Protocol, to ensure they continue to supply the Northern Ireland market?
- What benefits do you see arising out of the Protocol?
- How is the Government seeking to address the perceived democratic deficit under the Protocol?
- What is your response to those arguing in favour of alternatives to the Protocol?
More on this inquiry
This is the final evidence session in the Committee’s introductory inquiry into the operation of the Protocol since it came into force on 1 January 2021.
On Wednesday 16 June 2021 the committee took evidence from: Jonathan Powell, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Tony Blair (1995-2007) and Chief British Negotiator on Northern Ireland (1997-2007); Louise Coyle, Director, Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network; and Tom Kelly, Columnist, Irish News.
You can watch the session back on Parliament TV. The Committee aims to publish its report by the end of July.
The committee’s work can be followed on its webpage and via Twitter.
