EU Parliament backing Brexit sanctions

e European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a post-Brexit sanctions mechanism to protect EU interests if the UK were to breach either of its Trade and Co-operation and Withdrawal Agreements, including the Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland.

According to Seán Kelly MEP who led negotiations for the for Ireland South Parliament's

International Trade Committee: “Positive indications surrounding a potential EU-UK deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol have emerged since British Prime Minister Sunak took up o ce. I commend the constructive approach taken by both the EU and UK negotiating teams lately.

"However, just a few months ago, Liz Truss’ Northern Ireland

Protocol Bill made its way through the House of Commons.

A Bill that would empower government ministers to unilaterally disapply parts of the Protocol and the Withdrawal Agreement if it became law. e proposed EU retained law bill further illustrates an unbelievable vast expansion of ministerial powers more akin to the times of Henry VIII. e regulation that we have just passed is nothing like either of these, instead it is about our own internal organisation and preparation more than anything," he said.

"Actions speak louder than words, and that has often been the unfortunate case in the recent past with the UK government failing to demonstrate reliability when it comes to honouring its own international agreements. erefore, it makes absolute sense for the EU to protect its interests and react proportionately to any breaches in agreements. Indeed, the EU side would be foolish not to", warned Kilkenny native Mr Kelly, the Leader of Fine Gael in the Parliament.

"It goes without saying that I sincerely hope that this trade enforcement mechanism never has to be used,” the Ireland South MEP said. e proposed Brexit sanctions mechanism, the rst EU Regulation of its kind, will now become law in the coming months.

" e Protocol’s main goal is to prevent the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland and to preserve peace and the EU remains wholly united on that goa,l” Kelly underlined.