ALL-island accountancy body Chartered Accountants Ireland last night became the latest business organisation in the north warning against the consequences of triggering Article 16, claiming it will not address current trade challenges, but brings heightened instability.
And its Belfast-based president Paul Henry said he believes the business voice “seems to have yet again been forgotten”.
Reacting to signals that the UK will execute Article 16, which is part of the NI Protocol, Mr Henry said: “Article 16 was designed as a last resort clause – it is not a solution to the difficulties of a post-Brexit adjustment environment.
“And if it is triggered, it will cause significant upheaval for businesses that are already trying desperately to keep goods moving, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.”
Insisting there is “no commercial benefit” to triggering the clause, he said: “We are disappointed the business voice seems to have been yet again forgotten.
“Some pragmatic solutions to reduce the current friction in goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are on the table, and these solutions should be worked through.”
He added: “We know from engaging with businesses and government agencies alike that they are making progress in adjusting to the new trading rules brought about by the UK’s departure from the EU.
“We just don’t see any commercial advantages in invoking Article 16.”
