European Commission made a 'tense situation even worse' in Northern Ireland, Coveney says
Simon Coveney said that he believed that now was "a time for cool heads" as the DUP prepares to launch a campaign to undermine the protocol. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The European Commission made "a tense situation even worse" when it spoke about triggering Article 16 of the Northern Protocol last week, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said.
Mr Coveney said that he believed that now was "a time for cool heads" as the DUP prepares to launch a campaign to undermine the protocol.
Last Friday night, the EU was forced into a U-turn after attempting to invoke Article 16 of the protocol in a bid to control the flow of vaccines into the UK.
The decision was swiftly reversed following condemnation from London, Dublin and Belfast.
Mr Coveney said that the removal of the protocol is "unrealistic" but said that the Commission's move was "wrong".
"We will work with all political leaders, in particular leaders of Unionism, if they want to work with us to try and find ways of making the protocols work. But the idea that we could just do away with the protocol, I think is unrealistic.
"Because what are we going to replace it with? I haven't heard anybody who criticises the protocol come up with a credible alternative to us. And let's not forget the protocol is now part of international law. It's part of British law. And so, you can't just simply do away with it.
"I accept that what the EU Commission did on Friday has made what is already a tense and difficult situation worse. They recognise that mistake and they changed tack quickly. But, now is the time for cool heads and political talking and senior level to try to introduce flexibilities and potentially extend some grace periods."
Tensions in the North have led to the suspension of checks at two ports in the province. The Department of Agriculture (DAERA) suspended Brexit checks on food and animal products at Larne and Belfast amid the appearance of threatening graffiti around the ports and across the region.
The European Commission has told its staff at the ports to stay at home because of the threats, which are believed to come from loyalist crime groups.
The DUP has said that it will withdraw from North-South cooperation and work to lobby the British government to do away with the protocol. Mr Coveney said that the party has "a bee in its bonnet" about Brexit.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's place in the UK will be "protected and strengthened", the UK Prime Minister has vowed.
Boris Johnson said the UK's commitment to the people of Northern Ireland is "unshakeable".
Mr Johnson tweeted: "Our commitment to the people of Northern Ireland and our Union is unshakeable. Recent EU moves have undermined the Protocol and understandably provoked concern.
"Let me underline that, now and in the future, Northern Ireland's place in the UK will be protected and strengthened.
"What is needed is urgent action from the EU to resolve outstanding problems with Protocol implementation, so as to preserve the gains of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and ensure that Northern Ireland benefits from Brexit just like every other part of our United Kingdom."
Earlier, police said loyalist paramilitaries are not involved in threats made to workers conducting post-Brexit trade checks at Northern Ireland's ports.
Disgruntled individuals or small groups may be responsible, rather than the organised gangs that once instigated serious violence.
Inspections of goods arriving at Larne and Belfast ports were suspended on Monday and officials withdrawn after sinister graffiti and reports of intelligence-gathering on inspectors.
The European Commission said Brussels' representatives were also being temporarily withdrawn from duties at the ports.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is stepping up patrols near the ports.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said: "We are concerned about the actions of a number of individuals and small groups.
"We don't believe that those actions are organised. But they do give us cause for concern."
