HANSARDCommons05 Feb 20205 contributions

EU Withdrawal Act: Effect on the Union

Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)
Liberal DemocratOrkney and Shetland
10. What assessment he has made of the effect of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 on the Union.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Robin Walker)
The deal implemented in domestic law through the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 means that we have left the EU as one United Kingdom. The protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland guarantees Northern Ireland’s integral place in the UK. This Government will never be neutral in expressing our support for the Union and our steadfast belief that Northern Ireland’s best interests are served within a strong United Kingdom.
Mr Carmichael
Liberal DemocratOrkney and Shetland
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told us yesterday that we do not need a deal with the European Union. If he is right, what will that mean for the future of Northern Ireland in the Union?
Mr Walker
I think the point that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was making is that we already have a deal with the European Union; we have left the European Union with a deal, and that is good news for Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom.