The Ulster Unionist Party’s Finance Spokesperson, Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, has welcomed the UK’s decision that goods exported from the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain will be temporarily exempted from new border controls on EU-GB trade which are due to take effect on 1 January, but he has called for a permanent end to checks on the movement of goods within the United Kingdom from GB to NI.  

Steve Aiken said:

“The announcement today that our government won’t impose any border controls on RoI/Great Britain trade whilst discussions are ongoing on the protocol is welcome.

“What would be equally welcome would be the removal of any checks on goods moving internally through our nation, and a recognition by all sides that checks on goods remaining in Northern Ireland should be exempt from any and all restrictions.

“Removing all medicines from checks would also be a great confidence building measure.”