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Stormont EU 'veto' power plans to be published by government Stormont EU 'veto' power plans published by government
(35 minutes later)
The government is to publish proposals later to give Stormont the power to vote on new EU rules if the border backstop comes into force after Brexit. The government has published proposals to give Stormont the power to vote on new EU rules if the border backstop comes into force after Brexit.
It comes as MPs get set to debate the withdrawal agreement ahead of a crucial vote in the House of Commons next week.It comes as MPs get set to debate the withdrawal agreement ahead of a crucial vote in the House of Commons next week.
There will be five days of discussion on the terms of the UK's withdrawal and future relations with the EU.There will be five days of discussion on the terms of the UK's withdrawal and future relations with the EU.
Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington said the plans being published were specific to NI. Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington said the plans were specific to NI.
The Democratic Unionist Party, who Mrs May relies on for her Commons majority, described the proposals a "meaningless" and of "no real significance".The Democratic Unionist Party, who Mrs May relies on for her Commons majority, described the proposals a "meaningless" and of "no real significance".
Sinn Féin said it is opposed to any possible Stormont "veto" mechanism.Sinn Féin said it is opposed to any possible Stormont "veto" mechanism.
What is the government proposing?What is the government proposing?
Mr Lidington said the proposals would give the Northern Ireland Assembly a "veto" over any areas of new law and policy relating to the backstop.Mr Lidington said the proposals would give the Northern Ireland Assembly a "veto" over any areas of new law and policy relating to the backstop.
He said they would "make clear the continuing place of Northern Ireland within the UK internal market".He said they would "make clear the continuing place of Northern Ireland within the UK internal market".
The assembly has not met for two years, but Mr Lidington said there was a real desire to restore devolution.The assembly has not met for two years, but Mr Lidington said there was a real desire to restore devolution.
"Talking to MPs and leaders of all political parties at Westminster, including the Northern Ireland parties, there is a wish to get the Northern Ireland institutions back up and working again," he said."Talking to MPs and leaders of all political parties at Westminster, including the Northern Ireland parties, there is a wish to get the Northern Ireland institutions back up and working again," he said.
"When I go to Belfast or Londonderry/Derry, what I get from people in Northern Ireland and from the business community and education leaders and others, is: 'We want our devolved institutions back again because we want a voice for Northern Ireland and we want to see both communities in Northern Ireland represented in those power-sharing institutions'.""When I go to Belfast or Londonderry/Derry, what I get from people in Northern Ireland and from the business community and education leaders and others, is: 'We want our devolved institutions back again because we want a voice for Northern Ireland and we want to see both communities in Northern Ireland represented in those power-sharing institutions'."
Analysis: United in opposition
By Chris Page, BBC News Ireland Correspondent
Northern Ireland's two largest parties fundamentally disagree on Brexit - the DUP support it, while Sinn Féin are strongly opposed.
But - based on what they've heard so far - both parties are dismissive of the government's ideas on involving Stormont in decisions on EU trade rules.
Sinn Féin are mindful that the devolved assembly's cross-community voting rules - which mean a majority of unionists and nationalists must agree on contentious proposals in order for them to pass - would mean that the DUP (and other unionists) could block backstop-related measures even if there is a numerical majority in favour of them.
However, the DUP are rejecting the government's plans because they don't believe the proposals go far enough to protect the unionist position - they say Stormont would be consulted on EU trade issues, but not have a legally-binding veto.
How have Northern Ireland's parties reacted?How have Northern Ireland's parties reacted?
Sinn Féin and the DUP have both said they are opposed to what the British government has suggested could be in the proposals. After the proposals were announced, but before they were published in full, Sinn Féin and the DUP both said they were opposed to what the British government suggested would be in the white paper.
DUP MP Gavin Robinson said he did not think the proposals would lead to his party backing the withdrawal agreement.DUP MP Gavin Robinson said he did not think the proposals would lead to his party backing the withdrawal agreement.
"The withdrawal agreement says that even if there was disagreement in Stormont, even if Stormont decided that a proposal from the European Union wasn't in the best interests of Northern Ireland, the UK government would legislate over our heads," the Belfast East MP told BBC News NI."The withdrawal agreement says that even if there was disagreement in Stormont, even if Stormont decided that a proposal from the European Union wasn't in the best interests of Northern Ireland, the UK government would legislate over our heads," the Belfast East MP told BBC News NI.
"So in giving a consultative role, it doesn't sound to me that the proposal that will be outlined today is going to be the sort of comfort that people were seeking.""So in giving a consultative role, it doesn't sound to me that the proposal that will be outlined today is going to be the sort of comfort that people were seeking."
"Anything that gives the DUP or extreme unionism any veto on progress in this society will be totally unacceptable," Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd said."Anything that gives the DUP or extreme unionism any veto on progress in this society will be totally unacceptable," Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd said.
Mr O'Dowd added that the backstop was "as good as it gets."Mr O'Dowd added that the backstop was "as good as it gets."
"I'm of the view that there are elements of the DUP who now want a no deal, who would be perfectly happy with all that a no deal brings with it and have linked themselves to the extreme right wing of the Tory party," he said."I'm of the view that there are elements of the DUP who now want a no deal, who would be perfectly happy with all that a no deal brings with it and have linked themselves to the extreme right wing of the Tory party," he said.
The party's Vice-President Michelle O'Neill has also set out her opposition while DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson said the proposals were "meaningless" and had "no real significance".The party's Vice-President Michelle O'Neill has also set out her opposition while DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson said the proposals were "meaningless" and had "no real significance".
Analysis: United in opposition
By Chris Page, BBC News Ireland Correspondent
Northern Ireland's two largest parties fundamentally disagree on Brexit - the DUP support it, while Sinn Féin are strongly opposed.
But - based on what they've heard so far - both parties are dismissive of the government's ideas on involving Stormont in decisions on EU trade rules.
Sinn Féin are mindful that the devolved assembly's cross-community voting rules - which mean a majority of unionists and nationalists must agree on contentious proposals in order for them to pass - would mean that the DUP (and other unionists) could block backstop-related measures even if there is a numerical majority in favour of them.
However, the DUP are rejecting the government's plans because they don't believe the proposals go far enough to protect the unionist position - they say Stormont would be consulted on EU trade issues, but not have a legally-binding veto.
Haven't we been here before?Haven't we been here before?
In October 2018 it was reported that the British government would contain some kind of role for MLAs over what kind of backstop would emerge if there was a 'no deal' brexit.In October 2018 it was reported that the British government would contain some kind of role for MLAs over what kind of backstop would emerge if there was a 'no deal' brexit.
Sinn Féin and the SDLP rejected the suggestions at the time.Sinn Féin and the SDLP rejected the suggestions at the time.
Sinn Féin Vice-President Michelle O'Neill said a role for MLAs would be unacceptable, while SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it would give the DUP a veto but that it would not happen.Sinn Féin Vice-President Michelle O'Neill said a role for MLAs would be unacceptable, while SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it would give the DUP a veto but that it would not happen.
When the backstop was first agreed in December 2017 the joint statement from the UK and EU said that, if there was no agreement on how to prevent a hard border, then there would be no new regulatory barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK unless the assembly and executive agreed that Northern Ireland needed "distinct arrangements".When the backstop was first agreed in December 2017 the joint statement from the UK and EU said that, if there was no agreement on how to prevent a hard border, then there would be no new regulatory barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK unless the assembly and executive agreed that Northern Ireland needed "distinct arrangements".
Why have the proposals come forward now?Why have the proposals come forward now?
A vote on the draft withdrawal agreement is scheduled to take place in the House of Commons on Tuesday, after the original vote was cancelled on 11 December.A vote on the draft withdrawal agreement is scheduled to take place in the House of Commons on Tuesday, after the original vote was cancelled on 11 December.
Prime Minister Theresa May relies on the support of the DUP's 10 MPs and it is highly unlikely the withdrawal agreement will be approved by parliament if they vote against it.Prime Minister Theresa May relies on the support of the DUP's 10 MPs and it is highly unlikely the withdrawal agreement will be approved by parliament if they vote against it.
The DUP has repeatedly said it is opposed to the backstop and that the withdrawal agreement is worse than a 'no deal' Brexit.The DUP has repeatedly said it is opposed to the backstop and that the withdrawal agreement is worse than a 'no deal' Brexit.
Mrs May has been seeking extra written assurances from the European leaders to try and gain the support of the DUP and of many Conservative MPs who oppose her deal.Mrs May has been seeking extra written assurances from the European leaders to try and gain the support of the DUP and of many Conservative MPs who oppose her deal.