WATCH: Northern Ireland’s leaders welcome Brexit trade deal

By Q Radio News and PA Reporters

Northern Ireland’s leaders have welcomed the reaching of a trade deal between the UK and EU ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period.

First Minister Arlene Foster said the Stormont Executive has been united in supporting the need for a trade deal.

“This is the start of a new era in the relationship between the UK and the EU and in Northern Ireland we will want to maximise the opportunities the new arrangements provide for our local economy,” she said.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the Executive as a whole will examine the detail of the deal.

“While we have distinctly different political positions on leaving the EU, we are all agreed that it’s in no-one interests to leave without a deal, therefore this announcement is good news which will be welcomed across the whole island,” she said.

“As an Executive we will now need to consider the detail of the agreement because there will be many questions on what the agreement means for businesses and citizens and it is important they get that clarity.”

In a personal statement sent separately, Mrs Foster said details of both the trade deal, as well as other issues including security will be examined.

“Given the Government’s Northern Ireland Protocol, a sensible trade deal between the United Kingdom and the European Union was always the most favourable outcome for Northern Ireland,” she said.

“Moving forward, we will continue to work to seize the opportunities and address the challenges which arise from the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.”

Micheal Martin

“From what we have heard today, I believe that it represents a good compromise and a balanced outcome,” he said.

Mr Martin added: “I hope that this outcome will now be approved by both sides and that the necessary procedures to allow the agreement to enter force on 1 January will proceed smoothly.”

However Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken said there is “no cause for celebration”.

“We have achieved a ‘least worst option’ for UK as a whole – for Northern Ireland we now have an Irish Sea Border with reams of non-tariff barriers being installed from 1st Jan. Nothing historic about it,” he said.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the deal “will not undo the enormous damage caused by Brexit to people, businesses and communities in Northern Ireland”.

“This entire Brexit fantasy is a future that people here do not want and did not vote for,” he said.

“A deal is better than no-deal, but the best deal will always remain being at the heart of the European Union.

“That is what our people voted for in 2016, we all deserve a future that is no longer limited to the least worst option.”

Meanwhile, Aodhan Connolly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, welcomed the Brexit deal.

“We hope this will protect consumers across the UK from billions in import tariffs on everyday goods,” he said.

“For Northern Ireland it also means a reduction in new customs frictions between GB and NI.”

However. he also warned that more work is required.

“Even with a deal, retailers face a very different retail landscape from January 1, with many new checks and costs. The result will be rising costs for businesses, some of which may impact consumers,” he said.

“We need to ensure maximum flexibility from both the UK Government and the EU to prevent breakdowns in the supply chain.

“There is still much hard work needed on Northern Ireland issues if we are not to face another cliff-edge in three or six months and retailers are to continue to give NI families the choice and affordability that they so desperately need.”

Meanwhile, the Alliance Party has warned that Northern Ireland will face consequences and loss of opportunities no matter the detail of the Brexit deal.

Stephen Farry, the North Down MP was speaking after the UK Government and EU announced they had reached agreement.

Stephen Farry

Dr Farry said while all forms of Brexit would leave Northern Ireland worse off, even a bad deal would avoid a “catastrophic” no deal scenario.

“There is no such thing as a good or sensible Brexit. All versions of Brexit will leave Northern Ireland in worse situation than before and will see the loss of a broad range of opportunities and benefits. These include the loss of freedom of movement and impact on the service economy,” he said.

“A UK-EU future relationship agreement is necessary to avoid a catastrophic no deal outcome. While Northern Ireland does have some protection and even some comparative advantages due to the Protocol, it is only workable in the context of a wider deal. A no deal would have nevertheless created a broad range of major economic and other challenges for our region, alongside the knock-on consequences of wider disruption in Great Britain. 

“The UK has a deep, interdependent relationship with the EU. That involves at a bare minimum a zero tariff, zero quota trade deal and given the geographic proximity, that comes with some degree of restrictions. It has taken too long for the UK Government to accept that reality. It is frustrating this deal has come so late both for proper scrutiny and so little time for businesses to prepare and adjust. 

“Alliance will be studying this deal over the coming days. Key considerations for us will include matters beyond just trade, such as data adequacy recognition, justice, policing and security, plus access to the full spectrum of EU Programmes. 

“Notwithstanding this deal, Alliance will continue to advocate the closest possible relationship for Northern Ireland with the EU, and to seek further flexibilities and mitigations regarding the implementation of the Protocol.”