Assembly Executive Office Committee Welcomes Briefing from Lord Frost on Protocol

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 08 July 2021

Reference: CFTEO 01/20/21

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for the Executive Office held an extraordinary meeting today to receive a briefing from The Rt Hon Lord Frost CMG. Lord Frost briefed the Members on the current and future workings of the Ireland/ Northern Ireland Protocol.

Following the meeting, Committee Chairperson Colin McGrath MLA said, “The Committee was very pleased to welcome Lord Frost to our meeting today and we are very grateful for the opportunity to provide him with a greater understanding and insight into how the Protocol affects Northern Ireland.

“It was crucial that we outlined to Lord Frost the impact the Protocol has already and will have on people who live here – what effect it will have on our jobs, livelihoods and the economy, as well as the long term prosperity of the region. It was therefore also important for us to discuss how opportunities and competitive advantages could be created, and the need to examine how those could be maximised to benefit our local businesses and our community.

“Following on from our meeting with Mr Šefčovič last week, today was another important opportunity for the Committee to voice the major concerns we have with the Protocol. I hope both Mr Šefčovič and Lord Frost take our concerns on board and that we are able to continue these valuable discussions and engage with senior figures in order to deliver the best outcome for all of the people who live here.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

1. Lord Frost CMG was appointed Minister of State at the Cabinet Office from 1 March 2021.

2. Lord Frost is co-chair on the Partnership Council established by the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement. He serves on the Council alongside Mr Šefčovič.

3. European Commission Vice-President, Maroš Šefčovič attended an extraordinary meeting of the Assembly Executive Office Committee on 28^th June 2021 and briefed the Committee on the protocol. Watch the Committee's meeting with Mr Šefčovič.

4. Watch the meeting with The Rt Hon Lord Frost CMG.

5. Executive Office Committee Membership:

Committee Chairperson: Colin McGrath MLA

Deputy Chairperson: John Stewart MLA

Members:

Martina Anderson MLA

Diane Dodds MLA

Trevor Lunn MLA

George Robinson MLA

Pat Sheehan MLA

Emma Sheerin MLA

Christopher Stalford MLA