Press statement following the third meeting of the Specialised Committee on Ireland and Northern Ireland Protocol

9 October 2020

The European Union and the United Kingdom held today their third meeting of the Specialised Committee on issues related to the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The EU and the UK took stock of the implementation work on both sides. Despite intensified efforts by the UK to progress on the implementation of the Protocol, significant gaps remain. Given that the Protocol will be fully applicable in less than three months, the EU reiterated its serious concerns on several issues including, in particular, the crucial need to accelerate work to ensure that border control posts are operational by 1 January 2021 in Northern Ireland, the importance to distinguish VAT numbers for traders from Northern Ireland from other taxable persons in the rest of the UK, as well as customs issues where the UK still has work to do.

The Commission called once again on the UK to urgently intensify its preparations for the full application of the Protocol. The EU requested the UK to swiftly provide a detailed timeframe for the full implementation of all these measures.

The parties also continued their discussions on the decisions the Joint Committee is to take before 1 January 2021. This includes pressing decisions on: the important working arrangements to ensure that the rights of EU representatives to be present when UK authorities implement the Protocol are operational and effective, determining ‘goods not at risk’, agricultural subsidies and tariff exemptions for fisheries in Northern Ireland.

The Commission underlined its continued availability to work with the United Kingdom at all levels over the coming weeks in order to resolve all remaining issues without any further delay.

Given the urgency of the situation, the Commission urged the UK to agree to organise at least two further Specialised Committee meetings in order to prepare and allow for the swift adoption of all outstanding Joint Committee Decisions.

Background:

The Specialised Committee on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is one of the six Specialised Committees established under Article 165 of the Withdrawal Agreement. Its role is to facilitate the implementation and application of this Protocol and make recommendations to the Joint Committee as regards the functioning of the Protocol. 

On 1 October 2020, the European Commission sent a letter of formal notice to the UK for breaching its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement. The UK has until the end of this month to submit its observations. After examining these observations, or if no observations have been submitted, the Commission may, if appropriate, decide to issue a Reasoned Opinion. More information available here.