Provision needs to be made for implementing protocol checks regarding post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland, Alliance MLA John Blair has said.
Speaking after Finance Minister Conor Murphy confirmed he would be holding the Treasury to previous Brexit commitments, John said it was clear more detail was needed to pin down exactly how and when this would be supplied.
He said: “As recently mentioned in the UK Government response to the Northern Ireland Protocol, there will be expanded infrastructure required at several ports here, in order to provide the checks needed on animal and food products coming from Great Britain.
“No matter your views on Brexit itself or the journey that got us here, everyone needs to realise preparations for implementation of the Protocol are essential. It is therefore reasonable to expect provision is already being made and checks are taking place within the Department of Finance to ensure there is capacity for this considerable upscaling from the current arrangements.
“Brexit will be damaging for Northern Ireland and the wider UK. However, we all have to deal with it and I hope the Minister will be able to provide more detailed planning in the weeks ahead.”