Michael Martin asserts that relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union have “vastly improved” and that there is a chance of reaching an agreement on post-Brexit trade arrangements.
According to the Irish prime minister, there is now a “window of opportunity” to resolve the issues surrounding the Northern Ireland protocol.
Michael Martin stated after the British-Irish Council summit in Blackpool that relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union had “significantly improved” and that he and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished to resolve the issues “harmoniously.”
Mr. Sunak stated last night that he believed “goodwill and pragmatism” would lead to a negotiated resolution.
For the long-standing issue to be resolved, there must be a shift from words to action.
The protocol is part of the post-Brexit trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union and aims to prevent the reintroduction of a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Instead, it created a trade barrier in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, resulting in increased checks on goods traveling within the United Kingdom.
Unionists argue that the measure threatens their place within the United Kingdom, and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is refusing to rejoin the power-sharing agreement in Stormont until it is scrapped, resulting in the absence of a functioning government.
A solution has yet to be reached after months of negotiations between the UK and EU, and the British government has introduced the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill in parliament, which would unilaterally scrap portions of the protocol, much to the ire of the bloc.
However, at a press conference following the two-day summit – and after a meeting with Mr. Sunak – the Irish prime minister struck a positive note, stating, “It is my opinion that an opportunity now exists to resolve the outstanding issues about the protocol through negotiation.”
The relationship between PM and I have significantly improved.
Mr. Martin would not specify a timeline for negotiations, stating only that they should be concluded “as soon as possible” and that the EU and UK would require “momentum” and “substantive engagement.
But he added: “I believe the relationship between the prime minister and myself, as well as both governments, has improved significantly.
“And I believe we are both in agreement – along with our colleagues in the European Union – to resolve this issue amicably.
In addition, I believe that the two-day meeting has reinforced the significance of our working together on shared challenges and issues.
Michael Gove, the minister for intergovernmental relations in the United Kingdom, also expressed optimism regarding a resolution, although he was unaware of any plans to pause the Commons’ consideration of the protocol bill.
He added, “I believe the prime minister’s discussions with all of his colleagues here about the importance of locating a safe landing zone were cordial and productive.”
