evidence: The Ireland/Northern Ireland protocol ensures that there will be no checks on goods crossing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland will be required to align with the EU in certain areas like product requirements, agriculture rules, and state aid. The EU customs code will apply in respect of Northern Ireland, effectively moving the EU’s external customs border into the Irish Sea. As such, additional checks on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are likely to be required. [...] The Northern Ireland protocol covers the movement of goods on the island of Ireland; any agreement of services will be dealt with the UK–EU future relationship negotiations. [...] Unionist parties the Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Unionist Party had previously supported the UK leaving the EU, but are opposed to the Withdrawal Agreement on the basis that the Northern Ireland protocol creates additional barriers between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.