UK's Brexit deal with EU over border checks in Northern Ireland

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UK's Brexit deal with EU over border checks in Northern Ireland

Lord Frost threatened to trigger Article 16 and suspend the Brexit deal if the EU did not budge on border checks and agreed to remove power from the European Court of Justice ECJ from Northern Ireland. Lord Frost has compromised with Mr Sefcovic and agreed to cut down 80 percent of checks on goods, which will mean low risk British goods like frozen meats and medicines can be sold in Northern Ireland without stringent checks.

He refuses to change his stance on the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland. Sefcovic, speaking to EU diplomats in Brussels on Wednesday, said: I believe we share the same goals of prosperity, stability, peace on the Island of Ireland. He added: You cannot have access to the single market without the jurisdiction of the ECJ. Political journalists believe the EU's unexpectedly generous proposal makes it much harder for the Prime Minister to activate Article 16 to legally suspend aspects of the Brexit deal, which he agreed in October 2018. But Lord Frost said that he will not accept a protocol that allows the ECJ to be implemented in Northern Ireland, because Brexit was meant to ensure that the EU no longer had any sort of control over any part of the UK. Other ministers have backed Lord Frost to dig his heels in over the ECJ. Health Secretary Bill Awrin said: Looking forward, there is not a role for the ECJ in Northern Ireland, and that includes any part of the UK. I think it is an over-legalistic approach that the court has. Lord Frost was really clear about this. one of the most important issues is to end the role of the ECJ. The EU has warned that Northern Ireland could no longer be part of the ECJ's single market, which would create a hard border between North and South that would spark tensions from the troubles era. Irish Premier Maros Sefcovic and Northern Irish deputy Premier Minister Michelle O'Neill are delighted with the deal offered by Micheal Martin and say it is well put together. MORE: Boris told to take nuclear option after EU's Brexit demands Can't see the poll below?

The commission demonstrated imagination, innovation, and also a listening ear to the people who matter, the people who live on the ground dealing with these issues. Ms O Neill smiled as she said: I think this represents progress and I think very much fulfills the commitments that have been made in the protocol to protect the All-Island Economy, to ensure no hard border on this island and to make sure we protect the Good Friday Agreement. The Prime Minister faces a dilemma now, as rejecting the EU's generous proposal on checks will further damage relations with the Commission, but accepting it means giving up EU authority and allowing its court power to remain Brexit LIVE: Dead in water? Boris considers 'huge dilemma' over next Brexit move - considers 'gamble'

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