Ibec calls on the EU and the UK to re-establish positive and stable relations.

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has called on the EU and the UK to re-establish positive and stable relations, building on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

At a special event at Ibec’s Dublin office with UK Ambassador to Ireland, HE Mr Paul Johnston, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy outlined that the vast majority of businesses across the all-island economy continue to support the Ireland -Northern Ireland Protocol and the eighteen months of the Protocol’s operation have demonstrated that it is, in several important respects, successfully serving its purpose of protecting the principles of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement (BGFA) while respecting the EU Single Market.

At the event, Ibec and members of the business community urged the UK Government and the European Commission to reengage in discussions towards the sustainable implementation of the Protocol on the basis of the Commission’s proposals for solutions to ease the flow of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, which respect the integrity of the EU single market, and the UK Government Command Paper. The strong cooperation between the EU and the UK, among other international partners, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been welcome and has demonstrated that the two parties can work together, based on mutual values and for mutual benefit.

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy, speaking at the event said: “A key priority is to sustain the stability that has delivered two decades of investment and growth in Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland. The Ireland- Northern Ireland Protocol, however imperfect, has achieved this in its time so far and it is imperative that it is allowed to continue to do so.

“Over the past 18 months the Ireland- Northern Ireland Protocol has enabled the continued seamless flow of people and goods across the border of Ireland, while all-island businesses such as those in the dairy, alcohol, retail, construction, and medical technology sectors have been able to continue to operate complex supply chains and trade across the two jurisdictions.

“Ibec is continuing to engage with the European Commission, Irish Government, and UK officials on behalf of Irish business to urge all parties to work together to achieve an agreed solution to ensure that the Ireland-Northern Ireland Protocol continues to respect both the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (B/GFA) and the integrity of the EU single market. A sustainable Ireland – Northern Ireland Protocol can in turn allow the EU and the UK to work together on common issues.”