Speeches by Robinson.

“Shortly thereafter, okay. Intertrade UK is a body to promote intertrade or intra-trade—trade within the UK—but it is also supposed to be a receptacle for businesses that have genuine frustrations and allow them to bring those to a body that can conduct advocacy on their behalf. Secretary of State, are you engaging with…”

“There are two things on that, Secretary of State. First, you would have to acknowledge that when you backed the “Safeguarding the Union” document, you acknowledged that there was a commitment there to remove checks within the UK internal market system—say for criminality, smuggling or that sort of thing. Secondly, sinc…”

“But it is our businesses, consumers and citizens that have to suffer the consequences of whatever political game goes on between London and Brussels—whatever Government; whatever game.”

“I know it is not a game. But if you are going to sit there and criticise how other Governments acted, and how we have to suffer greater interventions because of how they acted compared with how you wish to be, I am reminding you that it is our customers, consumers and constituents who have to feel the brunt of those de…”

“You supported all that when we had an agreement two years ago, by the way, but that is good—you will get there someday.”

“There is an overarching principle that there should be no divergence of trade going back to the protocol, Windsor framework and subsequent agreements. A number of businesses are being encouraged to change their supply lines and find it easier to deal with a foreign economic entity in the Republic of Ireland. That is a …”

“If you need to write to us in formal terms, that is fine. What process do you or the Paymaster General engage in when deciding what EU Acts are brought before the Assembly and before the Joint Committee?”

“Okay. I am sure that you are grateful for Ms Johnson’s presence, Secretary of State.”

“But it is our businesses, consumers and citizens that have to suffer the consequences of whatever political game goes on between London and Brussels—whatever Government; whatever game.”

“I know it is not a game. But if you are going to sit there and criticise how other Governments acted, and how we have to suffer greater interventions because of how they acted compared with how you wish to be, I am reminding you that it is our customers, consumers and constituents who have to feel the brunt of those de…”

“You supported all that when we had an agreement two years ago, by the way, but that is good—you will get there someday.”

“Good morning, Lord Murphy.”

“Thank you for your engagement during the process. I think it was cordial and thoughtful, and we appreciate your work, although not necessarily the outcome, but that is politics. Whenever we met—you were kind enough to meet this Committee at the very start of your review, and we had a discussion in one of the Committee …”

“For the benefit of the text, he flapped his wings.”

“Were you disappointed that the First Minister for all did not engage with your process?”

“You have framed all this around recommendations that followed consensus among the parties. There is a recommendation in your report that I am not sure you will have heard much from us on that would have led to consensus. It was a recommendation that arose out of a view given by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commiss…”

“Do you agree with their suggestion that article 2 of the Windsor framework is often overlooked?”

“In fairness to you, Lord Murphy, you are right that the recommendation, in and of itself, does not have significance. The issue, however, does. It was before the Supreme Court last week. There is a contested argument now as to whether article 2, in its textual terms, is around “no diminution of rights” at the time the …”

“Thank you.”

“Good morning to you all. Thank you for coming. Ministers, what you have outlined is not the experience that I have. Both of you voted for arrangements that you have since repudiated. On delivering the commitments in “Safeguarding the Union” and commitments that would remove the necessity for checks within the UK intern…”