Lords Committee hears evidence from businesses and trade unions on impact of Protocol on Northern Ireland economy

At 4:00pm the Committee will hear from: 

• Conall Donnelly, Executive Director, Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association 
• Sarah Hards, Sales Director, AM Logistics 
• Owen Reidy, Assistant General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Northern Ireland 

This evidence session will be streamed live and available on demand on Parliament TV. 

Background 

Against the backdrop of the continuing dialogue between the UK and the EU over the future of the Protocol, this is the first evidence session of a new inquiry into the impact of the Protocol, following on from the Committee’s July 2021 introductory report. This inquiry will continue throughout March and then after the 5 May Northern Ireland Assembly elections. 

Possible questions include: 

• What is your assessment of the overall economic impact of Brexit and the Protocol upon Northern Ireland? 
• How would you summarise the impact on Northern Ireland’s trading relations with the rest of the UK, with Ireland, and with the EU as a whole? 
• Which sectors of the economy have been most affected, either positively or negatively? 
• How would you summarise the impact of Brexit and the Protocol upon the businesses and workers you represent or engage with regularly? 
• What are the main practical issues arising under the Protocol that you would identify? How can these issues be resolved?  
• Has the Protocol had any beneficial impact, or does it present any economic opportunities, either for the businesses and workers you represent, or more generally? 
• What is your overall assessment of the UK and EU’s approach in relation to the Protocol? Do you see scope for compromise between the UK and EU positions, and in which areas? 
• What impact is the continuing political uncertainty around the Protocol having on the economic climate in Northern Ireland?