Alex Easton MP has today expressed serious concern about the devastating impact the Irish Sea Border is having on businesses across North Down.
Speaking on the issue, Alex Easton MP said:
“It is a shocking indictment of the current arrangements that it is now easier and more cost-effective for local businesses in Northern Ireland to import stock from the United States than from the mainland United Kingdom. This clearly demonstrates the crushing burden placed on our businesses by the Irish Sea Border.”
“There is no justification for this situation. The people and businesses of Northern Ireland deserve to be able to trade freely with the rest of the United Kingdom without disproportionate bureaucracy, unnecessary costs, or internal barriers.”
“However, there is a solution available. The Mutual Enforcement Bill, brought forward by the Honourable Member for North Antrim, offers a pragmatic and legally sound alternative. If implemented, it would remove the need for a border down the Irish Sea and eliminate the requirement to spend millions of pounds building unnecessary border posts at Larne Port.”
“This Bill would uphold the integrity of both the UK and EU markets without burdening Northern Ireland businesses or severing our place in the United Kingdom’s internal market.”
“I would like to extend an open invitation to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to visit my constituency of North Down and see first-hand the damage the current arrangements are causing. It is clear that action must be taken to restore fairness, protect local businesses, and respect Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom.”
Alex Easton MP
Member of Parliament for North Down
