Ireland’s deputy premier Leo Varadkar has conceded the Northern Ireland Protocol is a “little too strict”

The transcript discusses the uncertainty in political positions and the ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU, particularly focusing on the protocol's impact on Ireland and Northern Ireland. It highlights the potential benefits of reaching an agreement and the importance of flexibility in the protocol. Recent comments from the UK are seen as a positive shift, and the protocol's effectiveness in preventing a hard border and supporting the economy is acknowledged.

What are the potential benefits of reaching an agreement on the protocol for Ireland and Northern Ireland?

What is the significance of the protocol in preventing a hard border between North and South?

How does the current economic performance of Northern Ireland compare to the rest of the UK?

What challenges does the protocol face in terms of its implementation?

In what ways could flexibility in the protocol make it more acceptable to all sides?