Tánaiste Simon Harris has welcomed an agreement between the EU and UK which he said will benefit businesses and people across Europe and on both sides of the Irish border.
Mr. Harris said the agreement marks the beginning of an “ambitious and productive new phase of EU-UK cooperation."
“Both sides have made clear their commitment to enhancing the EU-UK relationship across multiple policy areas, delivering real benefits for people in the UK and the EU alike,” Harris said.
“Delivering on these goals will bring benefits to Irish people and businesses; reducing the administrative burden on agri-food businesses exporting to the UK, giving certainty to Ireland’s fishermen and women so they can make sustainable, long-term decisions for their businesses and supporting our shared energy security and climate goals by working more closely with out nearest neighbours.”
The deal will reduce checks on animal and plant products at the Irish Sea trade border at Northern Ireland ports as the UK will align with many EU rules.
The Tánaiste added: “Today is also a good day for Northern Ireland. It was very important that the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland be taken into account, and that has been done. A broad-based SPS agreement would bring significant benefits for Northern Ireland business and consumers, and for the efficient operation of the Windsor Framework.”
He said the agreement was “ambitious and far-sighted."
“It signals our determination to tackle common challenges and to improve the lives of citizens in both the EU and UK.”
Reacting to the agreement, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Anything that protects the all-island economy, anything that maximises our access to both markets in terms of trade, anything that removes barriers for trade, then that is something that we would obviously very much welcome.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said it was “too early” to say what the agreement would mean for Northern Ireland.
