Fears of empty supermarket shelves throughout NI by this weekend due to Brexit - three month leniency period extension needed says logistics chief

There are fears that there will be countless empty shelves in supermarkets throughout Northern Ireland because of Brexit by the weekend, says DUP MLA, William Irwin.
Andrew Quinn
By Andrew Quinn
Published 7th Jan 2021, 11:58 BST
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Mr. Irwin made the comment while the Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee heard evidence from LogisticsUK Policy Manager for Northern Ireland, Seamus Leheny.

Mr. Leheny updated the committee on the situation with the movement of goods into Northern Ireland since the activation of the Northern Ireland Protocol after the Brexit transition period between United Kingdom and the European Union ended on January 1, 2021.

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“I am being told that there will be some stores in Northern Ireland who won’t be able to stock their shelves by the weekend,” said Mr. Irwin.

An empty shelf in a Sainsbury's store in Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning.An empty shelf in a Sainsbury's store in Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning.
An empty shelf in a Sainsbury's store in Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning.

Mr. Leheny responded by saying that whilst he was not speaking on behalf of the retail sector, he is aware of “a lot of goods not getting through” to Northern Ireland from Great Britain and explained it was because of an increase in “red tape”.

“Businesses were promised less red tape but at this period in time, nothing could be further from the truth.

“There are still goods getting through but there are a lot of goods still not getting through either,” said Mr. Leheny.

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He continued: “The thing about the Northern Ireland Protocol is that it is a live document - it’s something that we can change.

Lorry drivers and officials talk at the DEARA site near Belfast Port, as the UK leaves the single market and customs union and the Brexit transition period comes to an end.Lorry drivers and officials talk at the DEARA site near Belfast Port, as the UK leaves the single market and customs union and the Brexit transition period comes to an end.
Lorry drivers and officials talk at the DEARA site near Belfast Port, as the UK leaves the single market and customs union and the Brexit transition period comes to an end.

“It’s something that the joint committee can make this easier for us.

“That’s where this committee really needs to apply the pressure on the government, the Northern Ireland office and the cabinet office to make sure our concerns ahead.

“We would also like to see the leniency period extended for another three months.”

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Mr. Irwin said the DUP had expressed concerns over the Northern Ireland Protocol before it was ratified along with the Withdrawal Agreement in the House of Commons last year.

An empty shelf in a Sainsbury's store in Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning.An empty shelf in a Sainsbury's store in Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning.
An empty shelf in a Sainsbury's store in Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning.

“We had concerns and said this was unworkable,” said Mr. Irwin.

“Many saw this as a way forward but there was clearly going to problems with this - the magnitude of this is unbelievable.”

Of the five parties in the Northern Ireland Executive, the DUP was the only one that campaigned for the UK to leave the EU in 2016.

Related topics:Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland ProtocolUnited Kingdom

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