NORTHERN IRELAND
The head of Northern Ireland Public Service has told a European think tank that there was no aspect of the UK’s exit from the European Union (Brexit) that would make it impossible for many of the Province’s firms to continue trading normally.
David Sterling (pictured) said Irish border tariffs would be the likely result of a “chaotic” Brexit.
He outlined to the European Policy Centre in Brussels the challenges of preparing for Brexit in the absence of elected Ministers, as there has been no functioning elected Government in Northern Ireland since the collapse of the power-sharing Assembly in February last year.
Mr Sterling revealed that the only “Ministerial direction” he had with which to guide the Public Service’s approach to Brexit was a letter written in 2016 by then First and Deputy First Ministers, Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness, to British Prime Minister, Theresa May outlining issues relevant to the Province.
“Despite its brevity, it has been enormously helpful to us as Civil Servants because, in the absence of Ministers, it has given us a basis on which to engage with Whitehall Departments on the way forward,” Mr Sterling said.
He said he could not stray into political territory.
“However, you will not be surprised to hear that we have deep concerns about the risk that no deal is agreed and there is a chaotic exit from the EU,” Mr Sterling said.
He said under such a scenario, costs for Northern Ireland’s businesses could significantly increase or create impossible conditions for firms to trade normally.
Mr Sterling said there were one million cross-border deliveries a year.
“In the event of a no-deal scenario, we assume that World Trade Organisation tariffs would apply and this would have negative consequences for our economy,” he said.
Belfast, 18 September 2018
