The government has been forced to ask for an extra sitting of Tynwald today after members last week refused to rubber-stamp 351 pages of Brexit rules without studying them.
An extraordinary sitting has been called for this afternoon (Tuesday), after Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot failed in his 11th-hour bid last Wednesday to vote through European trade regulations to prepare for Brexit.
They only appeared on a ’supplementary’ paper, with the regulations being distributed during last week’s Tynwald sitting.
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When it came to debate them on Wednesday, Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) complained: ’I have not heard an argument as to why this could not have waited to give us a week or two weeks.
’I am more than happy to come back and have a special sitting, that will give time to actually read what it is I am expected to vote on.
’There is no way anybody could reasonably have read and understood 351 pages of this.’
Mr Boot said the regulations were drawn up to cement the island’s trading relationship with the UK, EU and rest of the world once the Brexit transition ends at the end of this year.
They ensured latest EU animal health regulations had been retained and would be operable and that Isle of Man regulations would be compatible with the UK.
The island had earlier given assurances that it would retain and modify the law to ensure it received third-party status, which would allow continued export of the island’s animals, animal products, food and fish.
’I am aware that members have had little time to review these regulations and this is the third time we have been through this process to ensure compliance to ensure our future trading relationship is secured,’ Mr Boot said.
The majority of amendments contained within the regulations were ’minor’, he said.
He conceded it was ’not an ideal situation’ but said pushing through the regulations was preferable to having to call an extra sitting.
As the houses were divided it meant the motion to approve the regulations failed, but it did give leeway for a swift return to Tynwald to allow another vote.