LISTEN: Northern Ireland businesses and civic groups call for Brexit deal

By Q Radio News

Dozens of Northern Ireland's biggest business and civic organisations have united in a bid to urge the UK and EU to reach a Free Trade Agreement as soon as possible.

The statement has also been sent to First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill. 

The 32 signatures include the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC), the Ulster Farmers' Union, the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, Hospitality Ulster, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Retail NI.

Aodhan Connolly from the NIRC says it's a reminder of the consequences that no deal will have on people here. 

The joint proclamation states that members wanted to remind the governments of their commitments to the people of Northern Ireland, "notably in the preamble of the Northern Ireland Protocol".

"The conclusion of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with customs facilitations is essential to avoiding expensive post-transition trade frictions for Northern Ireland which will make our businesses less competitive, will lead to job losses and cause cost rises that will affect the most economically vulnerable in our society," read the statement.

"Our households have less than half of the discretionary income of GB households so these cost rises will be a standard of living issue."

The business and civic organisations added that Northern Ireland also needs long-term and lasting solutions to be designed to ensure the protocol impacts life here as little as possible. 

Meanwhile DUP MP Sammy Wilson said Northern Ireland need the “safety net” offered in the UK Internal Market Bill as it stands.

The East Antrim representative told MPs yesterday that “if those demands become unreasonable then you need a safety net.''

He added: ''And if you need a safety net, you don’t need it until those negotiations are over, you need it whilst any part of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Northern Ireland protocol is in place.

“And therefore I would like an assurance from the minister that if the Government does intend to withdraw this safety net if negotiations turn out fine this week, then what protection will there be for Northern Ireland from the depredations of the Withdrawal Agreement in the future? Because that’s important.

“This Bill is essential, the Government owes it to Northern Ireland having signed a disastrous agreement this time last year, and if the integrity of the UK is to be maintained then the provisions in this Bill, and indeed other provisions, are going to be necessary.”