Brexit latest news irish border

Here are the latest news and updates on the Irish border issue in the context of Brexit:

Latest Developments:

• The UK and EU have agreed to a revised Brexit deal, which includes a new protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. The protocol aims to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland and maintain the integrity of the EU's single market.
• The protocol establishes a "single customs territory" between the UK and EU, which would apply to goods moving between the UK and EU, including those moving through the Irish border.
• The protocol also includes provisions for the UK to maintain a "level playing field" with the EU in areas such as state aid, competition, and environmental and social standards.
• The UK and EU have also agreed to establish a "joint committee" to oversee the implementation of the protocol and address any issues that may arise.

Key Provisions:

• The protocol establishes a "single customs territory" between the UK and EU, which would apply to goods moving between the UK and EU, including those moving through the Irish border.
• The protocol includes provisions for the UK to maintain a "level playing field" with the EU in areas such as state aid, competition, and environmental and social standards.
• The protocol establishes a "joint committee" to oversee the implementation of the protocol and address any issues that may arise.
• The protocol includes provisions for the UK to maintain a "regulatory alignment" with the EU in areas such as agriculture, food safety, and animal health.

Challenges and Concerns:

• The protocol has been criticized by some for not providing sufficient guarantees on the Irish border, with some arguing that it could lead to a hard border or create new barriers to trade.
• The protocol has also been criticized for not providing sufficient protections for the Good Friday Agreement, which established the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland.
• The protocol has been welcomed by others as a significant step forward in avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland and maintaining the integrity of the EU's single market.

Quotes and Reactions:

• "This is a significant step forward in our negotiations with the EU. The protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is a crucial part of our Brexit deal and will help to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland." - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
• "The protocol is a good step forward, but we still have concerns about the impact it could have on the Good Friday Agreement and the integrity of the EU's single market." - Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar
• "The protocol is a compromise, but it is a necessary one to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. We will continue to work with the EU to ensure that the protocol is implemented in a way that benefits all parties." - UK Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay

Next Steps:

• The UK and EU will continue to negotiate the terms of the Brexit deal, including the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• The UK and EU will also establish a "joint committee" to oversee the implementation of the protocol and address any issues that may arise.
• The UK will also need to pass legislation to implement the protocol, which is expected to be a complex and challenging process.