Brian Keegan: It’s surprising anyone is surprised about effects of NI protocol

There seems little recognition that the special arrangement designates the North as a uniquely privileged trading zone

A sign on the approach to the port town of Larne in Co Antrim protesting against the so-called Irish Sea border imposed by the Northern Ireland protocol as part of Brexit. Photo: Stephen Davison

It is difficult to remember an arrangement that has come under as much sustained criticism and attack as the Northern Ireland protocol.

The device establishes a trading relationship between the North and Britain such that a hard border is not required on the island of Ireland to comply with the post-Brexit trading relationship agreed between Britain and the EU.

If you were to judge from the commentary in recent weeks, this is the only advantage ...