I will start by recognising the importance of road hauliers in our economy. The Alliance Party has long maintained that there is no such thing as a good or sensible Brexit for the UK as a whole and for Northern Ireland in particular. It poses huge challenges for our economy, environment, society and political stability, and it is not a rehash; it is reality. However, we now have to make the most of the hand that we have been dealt.

The particular concerns that the Road Haulage Association raised are not detailed in the motion, and the Member who moved the motion highlighted that insufficient clarity has been provided regarding green lanes and the potential disruption to trade and the bureaucracy that they entail. The truth is that it is impossible to entirely square the circle of the challenges and contradictions that Brexit poses and to completely avoid friction and new bureaucracy. That said, the gaps can be reduced significantly through trust and creativity. We must be open to maximising flexibilities within those special arrangements so long as they meet the tests of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and preserving dual market access and any changes are mutually agreed between the UK and the EU in line with our international legal obligations.

While the Alliance Party supports the special arrangements provided for under the Windsor framework, we want to improve the implementation and support people and businesses in Northern Ireland to adapt. Top of our list is a negotiated veterinary medicines agreement and a grace period for the next phase of goods labelling in the interim. An SPS agreement needs to be bold and ambitious enough to meet UK and Northern Ireland needs; it cannot just be a tick-box exercise. If it is done right, as my colleague said, it will go a long way to address problems. We also want to see improved information and assistance to businesses based in Great Britain regarding trading in Northern Ireland. We know that the trader support scheme needs improvement. It is clunky, but it needs to stay.

Early and enhanced engagement between Northern Ireland's elected representatives, Departments and other stakeholders in the development of EU law will be vital in helping all those who work in that space. We must recognise the concerns of our businesses, but we must also work together to improve the operation of the Windsor framework and ensure that Northern Ireland remains —