Brussels says trade barriers can be radically reduced under NI Protocol

Taoiseach welcomes package and calls on British government and EU to enter ‘serious engagement’

Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s ead negotiator on Brexit related issues, said the new proposals would reduce checks on certain retail goods by 80 per cent

The European Commission has presented a suite of proposals to radically reduce trade barriers between Northern Ireland and Britain which have developed as a result of Brexit and the Northern Ireland protocol.

Maros Sefcovic, the commission’s lead negotiator on Brexit-related issues, told reporters the new proposals would reduce checks on certain retail goods by 80 per cent, reduce customs formalities on goods entering Northern Ireland by 50 per cent, and allow previously banned products such ...