Ireland in discussions with Biden administration over UK Article 16 plans

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney speaking to the media outside Grand Central Hotel in Belfast. Picture date: Friday September 17, 2021.

The Government held high level discussions this week with the Biden administration over UK plans to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said.

UK Brexit Minister David Frost appeared to row back on a threat to trigger the clause in the Brexit deal on Wednesday, which would effectively suspend elements of the arrangements that prevent a hard border in Ireland.