World

Bloc backtracks on controls for NI

January 30, 2021 3:03 pm

Arlene Foster: EU Covid vaccine controls are an "act of aggression". [Source: BBC]

The EU has reversed its decision to temporarily override part of the Brexit deal amid an ongoing row over Covid vaccine supplies.

In a statement, the European Commission said it would ensure the Northern Ireland Protocol is “unaffected”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she and Boris Johnson had “constructive talks”.

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Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed the “positive development given the many challenges we face”.

Earlier, the EU said it would trigger a clause to introduce export controls on vaccines to Northern Ireland, with Mr Johnson urging the bloc to “urgently clarify its intentions”.

Under the Brexit deal, all products should be exported from the EU to NI without checks.