Brexit

The UK Supreme Court dismissed the challenge to the Northern Ireland Protocol

UK Supreme Court dismisses NI Protocol challenge

A challenge to the Northern Ireland Protocol arrangements has been unanimously dismissed by the UK Supreme Court.

John Major was speaking to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Brexit a 'colossal mistake', former British PM says

The UK made a "colossal mistake" when it left the European Union, former prime minister John Major has told a Westminster committee.

Brexit • 07 Feb 23

Green and red lanes at Northern Ireland ports, will govern both animal health and food safety issues as well as customs formalities (file image)

Difficulties remain despite talks progress - Šefčovič

The European Union has made progress in its talks with the UK on the Northern Ireland Protocol but difficulties remain, European Commission Vice-President Maros Šefčovič has said.

Brexit • 06 Feb 23

The report said the EU had accepted that goods destined for Northern Ireland would be allowed to enter without routine checks

EU denies deal struck with UK on NI Protocol

EU sources have denied a report that the EU and UK have struck a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol which included "significant" concessions by Brussels on customs checks.

Brexit • 01 Feb 23

Britain exited the EU on January 31, 2020, though stayed in the bloc's single market and customs union for 11 more months

Three years on, Britain still waits for Brexit dividend

Three years after its departure from the European Union, Britain is yet to benefit from the Brexit dividend that was promised for its economy as it lags its peers on multiple fronts, including trade and investment.

Business • 31 Jan 23

Archie Norman said the plans mean 'every piece of butter in a sandwich has to have an EU vet certificate'

M&S chair says UK's post-Brexit plans will wreck trade

The chairman of Marks & Spencer's has become the latest business leader to criticise the UK government's economic policy, with Archie Norman calling plans to ease post-Brexit trade "overbearing" and "baffling".

Brexit • 26 Jan 23

The study said there is opportunity for only 'incremental' change for the foreseeable future

Little scope for radical change in UK-EU unity - study

There is currently little scope for a radical improvement in relations between the UK and the EU, according to a new think tank report.

Politics • 24 Jan 23

Leo Varadkar spoke to the BBC during the WEF at Davos

Varadkar 'regrets' issues on way protocol implemented

The Taoiseach has expressed regret that the Northern Ireland Protocol was imposed without the support of unionists.

Brexit • 20 Jan 23

The British government has once again assumed a legal duty to call a snap Assembly election within 12 weeks

NI power-sharing deadline passes without breakthrough

The latest deadline to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland has passed with the devolved institutions in Belfast still in cold storage.

Brexit • 20 Jan 23

The Taoiseach is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos

Taoiseach declines to answer united Ireland question

The Taoiseach has declined to answer whether or not he thought there would be a united Ireland in his lifetime in case it was deemed provocative during the sensitive EU-UK negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Ulster • 19 Jan 23

Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (L) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a joint press conference at the US State Department in Washington

Cleverly and Blinken discuss NI Protocol issues in US

Britain's Foreign Secretary has told his US counterpart that the UK government recognises President Joe Biden's strong desire to see a resolution of the Northern Ireland Protocol issues.

Brexit • 18 Jan 23

Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar pictured at in Liverpool in 2019

Johnson 'agreed' checks on goods between Britain, NI

Boris Johnson agreed in the final hours of the Northern Ireland Protocol negotiations that there would be customs declarations on goods exiting Northern Ireland to Britain, despite the fact that just three weeks later he told businesses in the North there would be "no forms, no checks, no barriers".

Brexit • 18 Jan 23

Maroš Šefčovič (pictured) and James Cleverly discussed the situation

EU, UK say talks should continue in constructive spirit

The EU and UK have agreed that scoping work to resolve the dispute over the Northern Ireland Protocol should continue in a constructive spirit, the two sides said in a joint statement.

Brexit • 16 Jan 23

On Monday London and Brussels announced a deal on granting the EU access to UK trade databases

NI Protocol talks: Breakthrough or false dawn?

This week's breakthrough in the Northern Ireland Protocol talks happened gradually, then suddenly.

Analysis and Comment • 14 Jan 23

Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, so-called border control posts, or points of entry, were supposed to be built at ports and run by officials from the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture

UK publishes legislation on border control posts

The UK has published legislation allowing Whitehall to bring forward the completion of border control posts at Northern Ireland ports, an issue shrouded in controversy due to unionist opposition to such controls, which are a requirement of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

UK • 12 Jan 23

Chris Heaton-Harris said there will be another assessment on the protocol next week

'Still a way to go' on NI Protocol deal - Heaton-Harris

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said there was "still a way to go" in terms of a deal between the EU and UK government over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Politics • 12 Jan 23

James Cleverly (2nd left) with Chris Heaton-Harris (centre left) meeting with political members of the DUP, Ulster Unionist Party and Alliance in Belfast

Taoiseach hopes SF 'exclusion' will not set precedent

The Taoiseach has said he hopes the decision not to allow the Sinn Féin leader to attend a meeting with the British Foreign Secretary today was a "one off" and will not set a new precedent.

Ulster • 11 Jan 23

Micheál Martin met Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels for talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol

'Growing trust' between EU and UK negotiators - Martin

The Tánaiste Michéal Martin has said there is growing trust between EU and UK negotiators but he cautioned there was a long way to go before agreement on the Northern Ireland Protocol might be reached.

Brexit • 10 Jan 23

The IT system governs the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

EU reaches agreement with UK on access to IT system

The EU and UK have reached an agreement on EU access to UK IT systems governing the movement of goods from Britain to Northern Ireland in what is seen as a significant development in the ongoing talks over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Brexit • 09 Jan 23

Leo Varadkar conceded that the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol is 'too strict'

'All sides made mistakes in handling Brexit' - Varadkar

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said mistakes were made on all sides in the handling of Brexit, but vowed to be "flexible and reasonable" when attempting to solve issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Brexit • 03 Jan 23

Ursula von der Leyen and Rishi Sunak met at COP27 in Egypt last month (File pic)

Sunak and von der Leyen to 'work together' on protocol

Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to work together to find a solution to the row over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Brexit • 22 Dec 22

UK's post-Brexit settlement scheme unlawful, says court

The British government's post-Brexit settlement scheme for EU citizens is unlawful, the UK's High Court has ruled.

Brexit • 21 Dec 22

Leo Varadkar said the Government will review whether it can strengthen implementation of the Climate Action Plan

Taoiseach intends 'early visit' to Northern Ireland

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he intends to "make an early visit" to Northern Ireland to meet the political parties.

Politics • 19 Dec 22

Prime Minister Sunak is to host a reception for the party leaders tonight

British Prime Minister to meet NI party leaders

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will meet the leaders of Stormont's five main political parties in Belfast tonight.

Politics • 15 Dec 22

Royal Mail failing small businesses - An Post CEO

An Post chief executive David McRedmond has criticised Britain's Royal Mail for failing small businesses after Brexit.

Business • 13 Dec 22