Speaking after the statement from the Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, ICTU Assistant General Secretary Owen Reidy said
The statement to the House of Commons today simply reiterates anonymous briefings to the Tory Press in recent weeks. Promises are being made to Tory backbenchers and unionist politicians which cannot easily be delivered without breaking an international agreement, and causing an inevitable reaction from the EU and US leaders.
Since its negotiation and passing in domestic legislation two years ago, the ICTU has been very clear on the protocol.
- Given the hard Brexit insisted upon by the UK government, (which we actively campaigned against), a protocol of some description given the land border with the EU was entirely inevitable. We have campaigned against a hard border on the island of Ireland and we do not wish to see any border east west and will continue to articulate this position.
- Practical issues with the protocol must be addressed through diplomacy and good faith negotiation and not by unilateral actions or threats. Promised renewed talks with the European Commission will depend upon good faith in the room, and antics such as this statement and proposals for a brand new system of arbitration undermine trust.
- The totality of relationships in the B/GFA are crucial and have been undermined by Brexit. The resolution to the current political impasse around the protocol cannot be a hard border on the island of Ireland.
- Whatever solution is ever reached must be in the interests of all of the people in NI and on the island given the ongoing political uncertainty and instability.
Also there must be a more continuous and comprehensive engagement beyond the political sphere including the trade union movement and others across NI. This is not a problem which can be resolved by politicians talking to similar politicians.
