The secretary of state for Northern Ireland has said the EU and the Irish Government have, at times, "understated" unionist anger towards the backstop protocol. Brandon Lewis, speaking to the Irish Examiner, said there is "very, very real anger and tension" in the unionist community at a perceived loss of identity due to the introduction of the Northern Ireland Protocol — a mechanism to avoid a customs control border on the island. Senior figures from the European Commission and the British government have met in London to review the operation of the Northern Ireland protocol, with both sides accusing each other of inflexibility. "Around the triggering of Article 16, the Taoiseach was immensely sensible, pragmatic, and helpful around wanting to see a pragmatic solution. We are neighbours and we share the island of Ireland, and it's in everybody's interest to get a good, sensible, pragmatic approach.

Source: Irish Examiner June 10, 2021 05:26 UTC