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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Brendan Hughes

Deal on Brexit NI Protocol could be unveiled 'in two weeks'

A new deal on Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol is expected to be announced within the next fortnight, according to reports.

Sources close to the talks told the Daily Telegraph a resolution between the UK and European Union on the Irish Sea trading arrangements is set to be revealed within two weeks.

The deal is expected to include a red and green lane system, meaning goods travelling from Great Britain destined only for Northern Ireland will not face physical customs checks.

Read more: Far-right group submits complaint to PSNI against ex-Belfast councillor

It will also include language suggesting the European Court of Justice will be used only as a "last resort", UK and EU sources told the newspaper.

The role of the ECJ in Northern Ireland has been a sticking point in talks between London and Brussels as part of efforts to resolve the impasse over the protocol.

It is expected the agreement would lead to the UK government dropping the Protocol Bill making its way though Parliament which seeks to unilaterally override the post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Since last year the DUP has been blocking Stormont power-sharing in protest against the protocol, which has angered unionists for creating new trade barriers between Northern Ireland and Britain.

The party has refused to resume devolved government until significant changes are made.

A sixth attempt to restore the Stormont Assembly since May failed on Tuesday as the DUP again vetoed the election of a Speaker.

MLAs were recalled to the Assembly in a bid to progress stalled organ donation laws, but the DUP has argued the legislation can be dealt with at Westminster.

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