“EU VAT No. for northern businesses an important step” – MacManus welcomes progress on Irish Protocol 

Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has welcomed the passing of a report in the European Parliament which advances the implementation of the Irish Protocol to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. 

MacManus who is a member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee where the report was approved said the new mechanisms will allow people supplying goods in the north to the south or to Europe to avail of an EU VAT number.

The Midlands Northwest MEP said: “This report (the Tinagli report) is implementing the Irish protocol. It is protecting access for the north of Ireland to the single market for goods through changes to VAT law. While Britain reneges from its commitments the EU is following through and we are overseeing that process.”

The Sinn Féin MEP said it was another important step in securing an all island approach to life after Brexit. “These measures ensure that businesses in the six counties are not burdened with endless red tape and it allows a seamless transition so in essence they can continue selling products to the 26 counties and the rest of the EU uninterrupted.”

“At the end of the day, Irish people north of the border voted to remain in the EU and measures like these help secure their rights to EU access post Brexit but it also protects their entitlements as outlined in the Good Friday Agreement.”

MacManus concluded, “As somebody from a border county the return of a hard border is simply unthinkable. Sinn Féin made sure this issue was on the agenda and that a special status for the north of Ireland has been carved out. Today we start implementing that special position. We will continue to protect the rights of all citizens on the island of Ireland.” ENDS