Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Confirmation that Northern Ireland continues, to all intents and purposes, within the EU and subject to all its trade restraints, lies in the fact that in June a team of EU auditors conducted a full 10 day audit of the Official Control activities performed by DAERA and District councils in our ports.
“EU member states have to submit themselves to such Brussels oversight and control whereby if non-compliances are found actions may be taken by the European Commission, these include legal action, restrictions or even bans on the movement of goods or animals. The United Kingdom is supposed to have left the EU, yet, patently and shamefully, the EU writ continues to run in this detached part of the U.K., as evidenced by this compliance audit to ensure we are fully applying, not British, but EU law.
“This is the state of vassalage into which the iniquitous Protocol has placed us. Yet, a DUP minister continues to implement and facilitate such EU control.
“As Peter Robinson said some months ago, you can’t be said to be opposing the Protocol while at the same time implementing it!”
Note to editors
Confirmation of the EU Audit came to Mr Allister in response to him probing the issue of EU control through an Assembly Question – though it took Mr Poots almost 6 months to answer:
AQW 14597/17-22 Written Answer
EU officials are currently present at ports in Northern Ireland in an observational and educational capacity to advise on facilities and related inspection processes. Prior to the end of the transition period, the United Kingdom as a Member State of the EU would have at intervals received EU audits on specific work areas, with the following provisions being potentially applicable:audit reports may make recommendations to assist the competent authorities in taking corrective measures. The actions taken are followed up either administratively, in general follow-up audits in EU countries, or by on-the-spot audits. If non-compliances are sufficiently serious, stronger actions may be taken by the European Commission in agreement with EU countries, these include legal action, restrictions or even bans on the movement of goods or animals In June 2021 a team of EU auditors carried out a 10-day audit of the Official Control activities performed by DAERA and District councils in our ports. Their report has not yet been issued.