Northern Ireland Protocol: First Treasury Counsel

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 10:32 am on 9 June 2022.

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Photo of Iain Duncan Smith Iain Duncan Smith Conservative, Chingford and Woodford Green 10:32, 9 June 2022

Happy birthday, Mr Speaker.

In response to the comments of my right hon. and learned Friend Sir Robert Buckland, the reality is that until the Bill is published—in other words, finalised—it is almost impossible for the Law Officers to give an absolute finding on whether or not it is in breach of international law. When the Bill is published, I have no doubt that the Attorney General, whose responsibility it is as an independent adviser to the Government, will say whether it complies with international law. Does the Minister agree that those who criticise the process should recognise the simple point that the Good Friday agreement is itself an international agreement and should function as a priority above all else?