Lord Kilclooney: Protocol might be reason why no Northern Ireland freeport has been named

At the time of Brexit the government advised the UK that there would be freeports to encourage economic growth. So far eight successful applicants for freeports have been selected in England but not one in Northern Ireland.

I had hoped that Larne; Belfast; Warrenpoint or one of the two Belfast airports would have been chosen.

In answer to my question in Parliament the minister stated: ”We need to ensure we meet our legal international obligations.”

So the delay in NI but not in England to decide upon a freeport is an international obligation which the minister failed to define.

Could the delay in selecting an NI freeport be another example of the damage to NI economy by the Northern Ireland Protocol? Is that the international obligation which results in freeports in England but the delay in selecting any in Northern Ireland?

Lord Kilclooney of Armagh, Mullinure, Co Armagh

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