The Northern Ireland Protocol in Practice

In this special evidence session, members of the UK Trade and Business Commission visited Belfast for its first in-person meeting. This meeting focused on the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, hearing from representatives of the Northern Ireland business community about their experiences of operations since it came into force, interactions with those negotiating and implementing arrangements, and views on what needs to change.

Polling at the time suggested that the Northern Ireland business community is particularly well-trusted, and this session focused on their voice more than those negotiating arrangements on their behalf.

Witnesses 

• Frankie Devlin, Partner, Indirect Tax VAT & Customs, KPMG Ireland

• Stephen Kelly, CEO Manufacturing NI 

• Fiona Derry, Derry Refrigerated Transport Ltd

• Denise Walshe, Group Strategic Finance Projects Manager, Lakeland Dairies

• Stuart Lendrum, Head of Packaging, Quality & Food Safety, Iceland 

• Victor Chestnutt, President, Ulster Farmers’ Union