BREXIT BRIEF Brexit Brief Issue 114 15 July 2021

Home , Ben Habib, Jeffrey Donaldson, Jim Allister, Naomi Long, Steve Aiken

Tony Brown

Introduction The Brief seeks to provide up-to-date information on the progress and content of the UK-EU negotiations, and bring together relevant statements and policy positions from key players in Ireland, the UK and the EU.

The Brief is part of a wider communications programme covering the work of the IIEA’s UK Project Group – including commentaries, speeches, texts and event reports – which are highlighted on the Institute’s website. (www.iiea.com)

Section One: State of Play press conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel, said he hoped the “wurst is behind us” Talk and Opinion Pieces - No Solutions when it came to the chilled meat saga.” Yet Prime Minister’s Questions, House of The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland saga Commons, 7 July 2021 has continued with more speeches, interviews and opinion pieces but no solutions so far. David Jones MP stated that “while the As London voices speak of ‘all options on the extension of the grace period for the supply table’ and those in Brussels refer to ‘stepping of chilled meat from Great Britain to Northern up legal actions’, Belfast has welcomed visits Ireland is welcome, Lord Frost is entirely right by Lord Frost and Sir Keir Starmer. The UK has to say that it amounts in truth to no more than indicated its intention to produce its detailed a temporary ‘sticking plaster’”. He then asked plans to resolve the troublesome issues before the Prime Minister to confirm that, unless the the commencement of the Westminster European Union adopts a more proportionate Parliamentary recess on Thursday, 22 July approach to the application of the Northern 2021. And, Prime Minister Johnson, at a joint Ireland protocol, the UK would do whatever

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is necessary, legislative or otherwise, to fix He concluded that “the prize on offer for the problem permanently”. The Prime Minister us all, if we can re-establish a new balance replied by saying: in a way that works for us all, is that we can set relations between the UK and the My right hon. Friend is, sadly, completely EU onto a new trajectory, one that moves right in his analysis. There remain very beyond the current tensions that moves serious problems in what I believe is the beyond the challenges of the last few years, misapplication—the excessively legally and realises the real, genuine potential for purist application—of that protocol. What friendly co-operation”. we are hoping for is some progress from the European Commission—some repairs Speaking at the Northern Ireland Assembly that I think that they should make to the Executive Office Committee, Lord Frost said way this is working—but to echo what he that the post-Brexit arrangement to prevent has said, we certainly rule nothing out in a hard border on the island of Ireland was a our approach. “huge compromise” by London that was “made willingly.” The “wider goal” of maintaining UK Proposals Planned peace in the North “justifies the deal.”

Lord Frost has stated that the British European Commission Vice-President Government will set out its proposals on Maroš Šefčovič commented that the biggest the measures needed to resolve issues challenge for Brussels was how to rebuild surrounding the Protocol on Ireland/Northern trust and realign its relationship with London. Ireland (the Protocol) in coming weeks, in The UK must provide pathways to compliance time to have them on the table before the with the Protocol as soon as possible. In commencement of the Parliamentary recess the absence of such developments the EU on Thursday, 22 July 2021. He said that “all would ‘step up’ legal action against the UK. options remain on the table” but that “we are He highlighted the need to reach agreement confident given everything that we’ve been on issues surrounding agri-food products through the last few years that there are and argued for a deal along the lines of the ways of finding a new balance and finding the existing EU-Switzerland agreement which has necessary adjustments.” yet to find favour in London.

Lord Frost emphasised that the UK will not be Frost-Lewis Op-Ed in the Irish Times, delivering any form of ultimatum. “There are no 3 July 2021 deadlines here. We are not putting something on the table and saying take it or leave it, or On Saturday, 3 July 2021, Lord David Frost you must work to this particular timetable”, and Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis he said. He told a London think tank that he published a joint article in The Irish Times, wanted a consensual approach but that “the with the title We must find a new balance current situation is not consistent with the in how the protocol is operated. Below is an careful balance in the Belfast Agreement and excerpt from the article: is not how the Protocol should be working”. “That political reality must be acknowledged In October 2019 the British government and dealt with”, he cautioned. reached a remarkable, indeed unprecedented, agreement with the EU,

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enshrined in the Protocol on Ireland and is to take a theological approach that is Northern Ireland. It was that we would frozen in time and does not deal with the control the circulation of certain goods reality that now exists. within our own country, in the interests both of the overriding goal of supporting We look to find solutions. If that is not the peace process and the Belfast (Good possible, we will of course have to Friday) Agreement, and of protecting the consider all our options, because we EU’s single market. have an overriding responsibility and obligation to support peace, prosperity Such arrangements can work only if there and stability in Northern Ireland. Either is genuine cross-community consent way, we need to find a way forward, a for them and if people can see that the new balance of arrangements, adapted commitments to prevent disruption to to the practical reality of what we have their lives, or the diversion of trade, are seen since January, and based on the real in practice. But the EU’s attempt in common interests we all share. January to use Article 16 of the protocol to put in place a vaccines control at Foreign Minister Simon Coveney responded to the land border has had a particularly the article, saying that EU leaders feared the damaging and long-lasting effect on worst after what could be seen as a provocative exactly this consent. Recent polling from approach by the British ministers. “Many in LucidTalk shows that a there is a 50/50 the EU are interpreting the UK’s response as split in public opinion in Northern Ireland essentially saying: “Look, concessions don’t on the protocol. Opposition is growing, matter. What is required now is to dismantle including among many people who are elements of the protocol piece by piece. That not normally active in political life. That is is going to cause huge problems”. not a stable basis for the future. John Bruton Responds to UK In short, a seriously unbalanced situation Ministers is developing in the way the protocol is operating. This risks economic harm in The former Taoiseach John Bruton replied Northern Ireland and damage, in turn, to to the UK ministers in The Irish Times on the essential balance within the Belfast Wednesday, 7 July 2021: Agreement itself. The way forward is The UK’s European Union negotiator and to find a new balance in the way the its secretary of state for Northern Ireland protocol is operated. We must make a published a remarkable article in The serious effort to do so rapidly. Irish Times last week. They complained The situation is now urgent. The UK of what they called the ‘inflexible and Ireland have huge, and very direct, requirement to treat movement of goods interest in finding solutions here. But [from Britain] into Northern Ireland, as we need constructive and ambitious if they were crossing an EU external discussions with the EU which deal with frontier, with the full panoply of checks the actual reality. To simply say “the and controls’. protocol must be implemented in full”

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It appears they never read the Ireland/ Speaking in Belfast, where he met the five Northern Ireland Protocol which is part Stormont Assembly parties and the PSNI Chief of the Agreement under which the UK Constable Simon Byrne, Keir Starmer accused withdrew from the EU. For this is precisely the Prime Minister of betraying the people of what the UK agreed to, in great detail, in Northern Ireland and said that he was not the Protocol. Annex 2 of this Protocol trusted as an honest broker. Boris Johnson lists the EU laws which are to apply “in had not been straight about the consequences and to the UK in respect of Northern of the Protocol and “is now pretending it is Ireland”. The first item on this very long someone else’s problem.” list is Customs Code of the EU. This is a rigorous code with exacting procedures, The Labour Party visitors discussed with as the UK knows well. the parties the possibility of agreement on a deal on veterinary standards which would The UK ministers, writing in The Irish reduce the need for checks on the Irish Sea Times, say preventing a hard land border and indicated that there had been “relative on the island of Ireland remains essential. consensus that this is part of the solution. So, if the controls are not to be exercised It is not the only thing but ultimately we on the land border in Ireland, where do the need to see the British government getting UK ministers propose to exercise them? back round the negotiating table with the The two ministers make no attempt to European Union and using the mechanisms answer this question. They offer no of the Protocol to find that agreement”. “It is constructive suggestions at all, apart not a sustainable solution to keep proposing from using slogans such as “balance” unilateral mechanisms. Unfortunately that’s and “flexibility” in the implementation what we anticipate will happen in the next of the very precise laws listed in the couple of weeks from David Frost”, he added. Protocol. At the end of the article, the two ministers say that, if solutions are In his piece for The Times, Keir Starmer wrote not found (although they do not offer that “I am sad to say that, after nearly three any), “we will of course have to consider decades of slow but steady progress, we now all our options”. In diplomatic terms, for have a prime minister who has put his own British ministers to use such words, in an narrow interest above those of the people of Irish newspaper, is menacing. Northern Ireland. We have a prime minister who has refused to take responsibility for Brexit was a British idea. Brexit means his decisions, who is risking through his border controls. They should deal with dishonesty, the stability of the peace process. the logical consequences of their own The Prime Minister personally negotiated freely chosen policies. the Northern Ireland Protocol and he has a personal responsibility to make it work.” Keir Starmer in Northern Ireland Sir Keir made it clear that he understood The Leader of the British Labour Party, Keir the concerns of the unionist community and Starmer, entered into the Protocol debate businesses in the region about the barriers with a visit to Northern Ireland preceded by introduced by the protocol, but added that it is an article in The Times. now time for solutions. “These were problems

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that the UK Government knew were possible The judge went on to dismiss other grounds for when they signed it. It is time for serious, a judicial review, such as the contention that practical solutions.” the post-Brexit trade arrangements breached key provisions of the 1998 Northern Ireland Sir Keir also criticised the UK Brexit negotiator Act that legislated for the peace agreement. Lord Frost, following the recent joint opinion Significantly, he determined that the 1800 piece with Brandon Lewis in The Irish Times Acts of Union and the Brexit withdrawal which warned of damage to the Belfast (Good legislation were both laws of a constitutional Friday) Agreement if a “new balance” is not character but said his role was to rule on found for customs checks: which one should prevail in law. The judge said a starting point, based on fundamental It is hard to know whether Lord legal principles, was that the most recent Frost is merely naive or deliberately legislation should take precedence. provocative. Whichever it is, the strategy of brinkmanship and picking fights in He said there was no legal precedent whereby Northern Ireland is not the work of a the Acts of Union had operated to “nullify a serious politician. Does he not think the subsequent act of parliament” but there was people of Northern Ireland deserve better capacity for “implied repeal” of statute with than this? the passing of latter laws. Concluding on that issue, he said: High Court Judgement The acts (2018 and 2020 Withdrawal In the Belfast High Court, on Wednesday, Agreement Acts) have been approved 30 June 2021, Mr Justice Colton threw out and implemented pursuant to the express the legal challenge to the Northern Ireland will of parliament and any tension with Protocol, refusing a judicial review and article six of the Acts of Union should be rejecting the argument of the Democratic resolved in favour of the agreement acts Unionist Party and others that the Protocol of 2018 and 2020.” The Government breached the 1800 Acts of Union. He declared had argued in court that the Protocol “is that “much constitutional water has passed an orthodox application of Parliamentary under the bridge” since then. sovereignty” and that the applicants were effectively “asking the court to ignore the In his detailed judgment, Mr Justice Colton will of Parliament expressed in primary agreed with the applicants that the Brexit legislation. Withdrawal Act conflicted with the 1800 Acts of Union, but ruled that the recent legislation It is expected that the judgement of Mr including the Protocol overrode the provisions Justice Colton will be appealed, even as far of the 200-year old law, as they in effect as the Supreme Court, by the applicants, led repealed part of the Acts of Union. While by TUV leader Jim Allister, and including Lord the Protocol conflicts with the Acts of Union, Trimble, Arlene Foster MLA, Steve Aiken MLA, subsequent treaties – such as the Withdrawal Baroness Kate Hoey and the former Brexit Agreement between the UK and the EU – were Party MEP Ben Habib. elements of prerogative power over which the courts had little oversight.

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Brexit Opinion Poll Naomi Long Opinion Piece

The latest survey in a three-year Queen’s The Alliance Party leader and NI Justice University research project on the Protocol Minister, Naomi Long, contributed a lengthy has produced interesting insights into current article on the Protocol to The Guardian on opinion in Northern Ireland. Thursday, 8 July 2021.

The poll shows a high degree of distrust in The protocol is the product of Brexit, both Northern Irish and UK politicians over and in particular the choices made by the Protocol. 86% distrust Boris Johnson and the government and many unionist the UK Government with only 6% expressing politicians, who pushed for a hard trust. Up to 78% distrust the DUP and Brexit. In the absence of any plausible 56% distrust Sinn Fein. The Alliance Party alternative, it is the means to address the and the SDLP are the most trusted parties. challenges posed by Brexit to a shared And, a majority distrust both the European and interdependent Northern Ireland. Commission and the Dublin Government. Those opposed to the protocol continue Only business leaders – at 56% - record a to engage in fantasy politics, calling for its positive trust rating. removal but not providing any workable solutions for what would replace it. Queen’s Professor Katy Hayward said that the findings indicate that people in Northern Despite not causing this situation, the Ireland are “highly exercised” by the Protocol. adults in the room must think about While a majority – 67% – believe that special how we deal with it in practical terms. arrangements are needed for Northern Ireland The recent high court ruling in the case in the aftermath of Brexit there is a clear split seeking a judicial review of the protocol on support or opposition for the Protocol brought by some of those same opponents with 47% agreeing and 47% disagreeing confirmed it is legal and that Northern when asked whether the Protocol “provides Ireland remains a part of the UK via the appropriate means for managing the effects of principle of consent, which is hardwired Brexit on Northern Ireland”. As many as 56% into the EU withdrawal agreement. agree that the Protocol offers Northern Ireland a “unique set of economic opportunities.” The government knows there is no Three-quarters of voters indicate that they will alternative to the protocol. It knows that be “mindful” of the Protocol when voting in to renounce the protocol would have the next Assembly election. major consequences for the trade and cooperation agreement and for wider More than a third of those questioned international partnerships, especially with continue to think that Brexit is, on balance, the Biden administration in the US. Yet a good thing for the United Kingdom, while a the government continues to deny the clear majority – 57% – disagree or disagree reality of the protocol that it negotiated, strongly. 57% of voters want the UK to align signed and put through parliament. It with EU regulations as a solution to perceived has suited this prime minister to engage problems with the Protocol. in cliched rhetoric around a “sausage war”. Brexit and its consequences are much more serious than that. But

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ultimately, people in Northern Ireland significant bearing on post-Brexit relations. who are British will be no more or less The Commission has formally recognised UK British due to the protocol, no matter data protection rules as ‘adequate’ and accepts where they get their sausages. that personal data can flow from the EU to the UK. The Commission stated that data would Section Two: The Evolving benefit “from an essentially equivalent level of protection to that guaranteed under EU law. Debate The decision has been adopted under the EU’s Brexit Divorce Bill General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Law Enforcement Directive. A new point of dispute between London and Brussels has arisen with the publication of In a positive development in post-Brexit the Commission’s 2020 budget accounts relations, the EU and UK are negotiating an which deal with the UK’s financial liabilities for arrangement providing for closer cooperation spending commitments made up to the end on antitrust enforcement through information of the Brexit transition period on Thursday, sharing and joint investigations. Under the 31 December 2020. The total amount of plans being discussed the two sides will join in the liabilities – at £41billion (€47.5 billion) – confidential hearings and co-ordinate actions compared with previous UK Treasury estimates on evidence collection. Consideration is also of £35-39 billion. The EU had insisted that being given to creating a formal early-warning the financial settlement was included in the mechanism on cases of interest to either side. initial list of three issues to be settled in the There have been a number of cases in which aftermath of the Brexit decision. the UK and EU authorities have cooperated in the period since Brexit. The British Government has challenged the EU figures and insist that they should be lower. In another area the UK has unveiled a new The idea of a ‘divorce bill’ of this magnitude policy on industrial subsidies which will replace has been rejected by Eurosceptics with Boris EU rules. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng Johnson, as Foreign Secretary, telling the said that the Subsidy Control Bill, which will House of Commons that the EU could “go grant government and local councils’ greater whistle” if it expected the UK to pay up. freedom to support businesses, is “a clear departure from the EU state aid regime” and UK Treasury officials have told theThe Financial argued that it will allow government to be “more Times that the quoted figures are estimates agile, targeted and timely in its interventions and subject to change. The Irish member of with business.” The Confederation of British the European Court of Auditors, Tony Murphy, Industry commented that a new, swift, has told RTÉ that while the sums reported are system could be a “useful tool to meet the provisional the annual audit is complete and government’s ambitions for the economy”. the figures are not expected to change. Northern Ireland Business Views EU-UK Policy Developments During his one-day visit to Northern Ireland, The European Commission has granted Lord Frost visited the border town Newry the UK access to EU data in what has been where he met local business representatives. described as a key decision that can have He received a clear message, summed up by

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Politico as “Quit exaggerating the problems Section Three: Background associated with the Protocol and commit to Material and Further Reading fully enforcing it”. The CEO of Newry Chamber of Commerce, Colm Shannon, told the Background Material Minister “our businesses are broadly happy with the Protocol. A lot of them are benefitting European Commission EU-UK relations: from it”. It was pointed out that businesses solutions found to help implementation of the are building trade with Ireland as the Protocol Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, 30 keeps cross-border commerce flowing freely June 2021. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/ with its EU neighbour. presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_3324

In his meeting with the Northern Ireland European Commission Press statement by Assembly Executive Office Committee, Lord Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič on the solutions Frost was told, by nationalist speakers, that found to help the implementation of the problems were being “completely overblown. Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, 30 June The vast majority of businesses and farmers 2021. https://ec.europa/eu/commission/ support the Protocol…finding new markets presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_21_3366 and new opportunities”. GOV.UK Extension to Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium has Protocol grace period for chilled meats spoken of “real frustration” in the business agreed, 30 June 2021. https://www.gov.uk/ community. Whether the protocol situation government/news/extension-to-northern- has brought opportunities or challenges is ireland-protocol-grace-period-for-chilled- dependent on the nature of the business meats-agreed and its supply chains. Retailers are seen to be working through new ways of trading and The Times Boris Johnson is putting Northern there is agreement that “certainty and stability Ireland’s peace at risk over Brexit. The Times, is what we need. We are still trying to find the 8 July 2021. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ new normal and how we make the best of it”. article/keir-starmer-boris-johnon-is-putting- northern-irelands-pece-at-risk-over-brexit- North-South Research Programme qwswrnbs9

A new North-South research programme will The Guardian Why the Northern Ireland receive €40 million in funding from the €500 protocol is about much more than sausages. million Shared Island Fund. Projects involving The Guardian, 8 July 2021. https://www. two individual researchers based in the theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/ Republic and Northern Ireland could receive jul/08/northern-ireland-protocol-sausages- as much as €100,000 per year for up to two post-brexit-trade years while larger projects between North- South research teams and institutions could Belfast Telegraph Lord Frost seeks to blame get up to €1 million each year for four years. predecessors for Brexit issues in Northern Ireland. Belfast Telegraph, 9 July 2021. The Shared Island Fund has already allocated https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ funds for long-standing cross-border projects northern-ireland/lord-frost-seeks-to-blame- in infrastructure such as the Ulster Canal and predecessors-for-brexit-issues-in-northern- the Narrow Water Bridge. ireland-40634569.html

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Politico Northern Ireland to Frost: Enforce The Telegraph Final Brexit divorce bill is the protocol, don’t fight it. Politico, 10 July £40bn, as EU demands 32bn more than 2021. https://www.politico.eu/article/david- expected. Telegraph, 8 July 2021. https:// frost-brexit-northern-ireland-protocol-trade/ www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/07/08/eu- demands-britain -pays-40bn-brexit-bill/ The Irish Times ‘All options on table’ if no agreement reached with EU on protocol, RTÉ UK government in challenge over €47.5bn says Frost. IT, 10 July 2021. https://www. Brexit bill. RTÉ, 9 July 2021. https://www.rte. irishtimes.com/news/politics/all-options-on- ie/news/brexit/2021/0709/1233996-brexit/ table-if-no-agreement-reached-with-eu-on- protocol-says-frost-1.4616028 The Irish Times David Frost and Brandon Lewis: We must find a new balance in how the The Irish Times Britain to set out proposals to protocol is operated. IT, 3 July 2021. https:// resolve NI protocol impasse, David Frost says. www.irishtimes.com/opinion/david-frost-and- IT, 9 July 2021. https://www.irishtimes.com/ brandon-lewis-we-must-find-a-new-balance- news/world/uk/britain-to-set-out-proposals- in-how-the-protocol-is-operated-1.4610097 to-resolve-ni-protocol-impasse-david-frost- says-1.4615271 The Irish Times John Bruton: UK ministers need to read the NI protocol they signed. IT, The Irish Times EU will step up legal action if 7 July 2021. https://www.irishtimes.com/ UK does not adhere to NI obligations- Sefcovic. opinion/john-bruton-uk-ministers-need-to- IT, 9 July 2021. https://www.irishtimes.com/ read-the-ni-protocol-they-signed-1.4613290 news/politics/eu-will-step-up-legal-action- if-uk-does-not-adhere-to-ni-obligations- RTÉ UK ministers warn Protocol will ‘damage’ sefcovic-1.4612974 Northern Ireland peace without changes. RTÉ, 3 July 2021. https://www.rte.ie/ DFA Minister Coveney welcomes significant news/0703/1232809-ni-protocol-lewis-frost- progress on Protocol issues, 30 June 2021. damage-gfa/ https://www.dfa.ie/news-and-media/press- releases/press-release-archive/2021/june/ The Irish Times Starmer calls on Johnson to minister-coveney-welcomes-significant- take responsibility for NI protocol. IT, 8 July progress-on-protocol-issues 2021. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ politics/starmer-calls-on-johnson-to-take- European Commission Data protection: responsibility-for-ni-protocol-1.4614798 Commission adopts adequacy decisions for the UK, 28 June 2021. https://ec.europa. RTÉ Starmer accuses Johnson of being ‘reckless’ eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ towards NI. RTÉ, 8 July 2021. https://www. IP_21_3183 rte.ie/news/brexit/2021/0708/1233758- starmer-protocol-gfa-reckless-foolish/ Queens University Belfast Testing the Temperature 2, June 2021. https://www.qub. RTÉ Šefčovič says EU may step up legal action ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ against UK. RTÉ, 6 July 2021. https://www. rte.ie/news/brexit/2021/0706/1233336- brexit/

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News Letter Sam McBride: Sir Jeffrey may DUP Speech by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, 1 want compromise on the Irish Sea border, July 2021. https://www.mydup.com/news/ but the DUP might not. Newsletter, 3 July speech-by-sir-jeffrey-donaldson-mp 2021. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/ politics/sam-mcbride-sir-jeffrey-may-want- The Guardian EU agrees to delay Brexit meat compromise-on-the-irish-sea-border-but-the- checks in Northern Ireland. The Guardian, 30 dup-might-not-3295167 June 2021. https://www.theguardian.com/ politics/2021/jun/30/eu-agrees-to-delay- Belfast Telegraph Sausage war truce with brexit-meat-checks-in-northern-ireland EU only a ‘sticking plaster’ warns Lord Frost. Belfast Telegraph, 4 July 2021. https://www. RTÉ Donaldson lays down DUP markers on belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ NI Protocol. RTÉ, 1 July 2021. https://www. sausage-war-truce-with-eu-only-a-sticking- rte.ie/news/ulster/2021/0701/1232362-alex- plaster-warns-lord-frost-40611350.html easton-dup/

The Guardian UK-EU relations deteriorate BBC Six months of Brexit: Business pays again after ‘strange’ David Frost remarks. the price. BBC, 26 June 2021. https:// Guardian, 4 July 2021. https://www. www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland- theguardian.com/politics/2021/jul/04/uk- business-57623090 eu-relations-deteriorate-strangr-david-frost- The Telegraph A hiatus in the sausage war. remarks-brexit The Telegraph, 29 June 2021. https://www. The Guardian Belfast court dismisses telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/06/29/hiatus- legal challenge to Brexit Northern Ireland sausage-war/ protocol. Guardian, 30 June 2021. https:// The Irish Times Britain to blame for eroding www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/30/ trust with Ireland, says former NI secretary. belfast-court-dismisses-legal-challenge-to- IT, 24 June 2021. https://www,irishtimes. brexit-northern-ireland-protocol com/news/ireland/irish-news/britain-to- News Letter NI protocol conflicts with the Act blame-for-eroding-trust-with-ireland-says- of Union – but is not unlawful, Belfast High Court former-ni-secretary-1.4601666. rules in blow to unionist leaders. Newsletter, The Guardian Northern Ireland voters 30 June 2021. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/ split on need for Brexit checks, poll reveals. news/politics/ni-protocol-conflicts-wth-act-of- The Guardian, 30 June 2021. https://www. union-but-is-not-unlawful-belfast-high-court- theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/30/ rules-in-blow-to-unionist-leaders northern-ireland-voters-split-on-need-for RTÉ NI Protocol ‘only possible solution’ brexit-checks-poll-reveals to avoid hard border - Šefčovič. RTÉ, 28 BBC New UK laws to sweep away EU state aid June 2021. https://www.rte.ie/news/ rules. BBC, 30 June 2021. https://www.bbc. brexit/2021/0628/1231742-sefcovic- com/news/business-57656812 protocol-stormont

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The Financial Times The UK carves a risky The Irish Times Post-Brexit checks rejecting new path on state aid. FT, 2 July 2021. https:// less than 1% of British imports. IT, 27 www.ft.com/content/e36703d6-dc98-43de- June 2021. https://www.irishtimes.com/ 92bb-5cf59b06883f business/agribusiness-and-food/post-brexit- checks-rejecting-less-than-1-of-british- The Guardian Post-Brexit talks on City access imports-1.4604930 to EU have stalled, Sunak reveals. Guardian, 1 July 2021. https://www.theguardian.com/ Financial Times UK and EU plan closer co- business/2021/jul/01/post-brexit-talks-on- operation on antitrust enforcement. FT, 8 July city-access-to-eu-have-stalled-rishi-sunak- 2021. https://www.ft.com/content/6d634c33- reveals-mansion-house 9666-4094-9593-889e8bafdc

The Irish Times Brexit inflames North’s BBC Brexit: Ni Jewish community ‘at risk’ identity politics. IT, 28 June 2021. https://www. over chilled meat ban. BBC, 9 July 2021. irishtimes.com/business/economy/brexit- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern- inflames-north-s-identity-politics-1.4604846 ireland-57765223

Politico London just got a data deal from the News Letter The story has moved on from EU. Boris Johnson could scrap it. Politico, 29 the problems of the DUP to the problem of the June 2021. https://www.politico.eu/article/ Northern Ireland protocol. Newsletter, 2 July uk-eu-data-deal-boris-johnson-revision/ 2021. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/ opinion/columnists/peter-robinson-the-story- RTÉ EU recognises UK data protection rules has-moved-on-from-the-problems-of-the- as ‘adequate’. RTÉ, 28 June 2021. https:// dup-to-the-problem-of-the northern-ireland- www.rte.ie/new/2021/0628/1231789-eu-uk- protocol brexit-data/ RTÉ Givan and O’Neill to attend WW1 The Irish Times DUP tells European commemoration in Dublin. RTÉ, 10 Commission VP ‘not to lecture unionists’ July 2021. https://www.rte.ie/news/ ahead of Stormont meeting. IT, 27 June ireland/2021/0710/1234240-islandbridge/ 2021. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ politics/dup-tells-european-commission-vp- The Irish Times Martin says ‘window of not-to-lecture-unionists-ahead-of-stormont- opportunity’ exists for agreement on Northern meeting-1.4604853 Ireland protocol. IT, 6 July 2021. https://www. irishtimes.com/news/politics/martin-says- The Irish Times Brexit: 4% of inbound window-of-opportunity-exists-for-agreement- trucks from Britain ‘red routed’ at ports for on-northern-ireland-protocol-1.4612303 inspection. IT, 1 July 2021. https://www. irishtimes.com/business/brexit-4-of-inbound- The Irish Times Starmer says Johnson trucks-from-britain-red-routed-at-ports-for- has ‘not been straight about consequences’ inspection-1.4608762 of protocol. IT, 9 July 2021. https://www. irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ starmer-says-johnson-has-not-been-straight- about-consequences-of-protocol-1.4615295

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The Irish Times EU deserves credit for realism not generosity over North protocol. IT, 8 July 2021. https://www.irishtimes. com/opinion/newton-emerson-eu-deserves- credit-for-realism-not-generosity-over-north- protocol-1.4614144

RTÉ €40 million in funding for new North-South research programme. RTÉ, 5 July 2021. https:// www.rte.ie/news/2021/0705/1233040-north- south-research-programme/

The Irish Times Four in five voters do not trust DUP over NI Protocol, survey suggests. IT, 30 June 2021. https://www. irishtimes.com/politics/four-in-five-voters- do-not-trust-dup-over-ni-protocol-surevey- suggesrs-1.4607282

The Irish Times Newton Emerson: SF, DUP want to avoid Stormont collapse after gauging popular mood. IT, 1 July 2021. https://www. irishtimes.com/opinion/newton-emerson-sf- dup-want-to-avoid-stormont-collapse-after- gauging-popular-mood-1.4607890

The Irish Times Sausage wars blown out of proportion, says meat company. IT, 6 July 2021. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/ irish-news/sausage-wars-blown-out-of- proportion-says-meat-company-1.4612295