UK Parliament / Open data

Northern Ireland Protocol Bill

My Lords, I will comment again briefly. I have said on the Floor of this House during these debates that I did not consider it necessary to reopen the mandate. If the EU can genuinely commit itself, as it is committed in the protocol, to defending the Good Friday agreement in all its parts, although it has not really understood what that means, my personal view is that that would be enough. I can understand why the Government feel the EU should reopen the mandate, but it is not a problem for me. I accept the point and I believe there could be successful talks without the reopening of the mandate; that is, providing that the EU accepts what it said itself that this is about protecting the Good Friday agreement in all its parts.

As long as that part of the commitment, which has already been made, is upheld, I think there is a good prospect for these talks.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

825 c109 

Session

2022-23

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords chamber
Back to top