The UK and the EU are almost done finalising a deal to overcome the issues raised by the Northern Ireland Protocol
Britain and the European Union are moving closer to resolving their issues over post Brexit trading arrangements with Northern Ireland (NI). UK prime minister Rishi Sunak held a video call with business leaders from NI as talks on the protocol continue. The call lasted about thirty minutes and focused on the impact on trade of the NI Protocol. On 21st February, 2024, the EU Brexit chief said that after successive days of discussions with his British counterparts, the end goal was in sight of easing post-Brexit trade rules for NI. After weeks of intense London-Brussels talks, a deal to revise the NI protocol is gathering momentum.
One of the most difficult aspects of Brexit negotiations was how Britain and NI could trade freely without creating a hard border with its EU neighbour Ireland. Former PM Boris Johnson agreed to leave NI within the EU’s single market for goods. Following this arrangement, NI had to follow the blocs’ laws concerning the movement of goods while still being a part of the UK’s customs territory. This effectively created a customs border in the sea between NI and UK.
IMPLICATIONS
This means that goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain are subject to checks and controls, including customs and regulatory checks, to ensure they comply with EU standards.
The NI Protocol has been a source of controversy and tension since its implementation. It creates a different regulatory regime for NI compared to the rest of the UK. Some argue that it has created trade barriers and uncertainty for businesses, which may harm the Northern Irish economy.
The Northern Ireland Protocol has also caused political tensions between the UK and the EU. The UK has accused the EU of being inflexible in its approach to implementing the Protocol, while the EU has accused the UK of not following through on its commitments under the agreement.
WHAT IS NORTHERN IRELAND’s STAND?
TheNI Protocol has been a source of controversy and tension within Northern Ireland. Some unionists in Northern Ireland have strongly opposed the Protocol, arguing that it undermines Northern Ireland’s place within the UK and creates a border down the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. They also argue that it has created trade barriers and uncertainty for businesses, which may harm the Northern Irish economy.
On the other hand, some nationalists and supporters of the Good Friday Agreement have welcomed the Protocol, arguing that it is necessary to protect the peace process and avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. They argue that the Protocol ensures that Northern Ireland remains in the EU’s single market, which provides economic benefits and helps maintain Northern Ireland’s position as a bridge between the UK and the EU.
MAIN ISSUES
- Customs and regulatory checks: The Protocol requires checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain to ensure they comply with EU rules and regulations. Some unionists argue that this undermines Northern Ireland’s place within the UK, while some businesses have expressed concerns about the impact of additional checks and paperwork on trade.
- European Court of Justice (ECJ): Under the Protocol, the ECJ has jurisdiction over some aspects of the agreement, including the interpretation of EU law and the resolution of disputes between the UK and the EU. This has been a contentious issue for some unionists in N. Ireland, who argue that ECJ infringes on UK sovereignty. They argue that the UK should have full control over the interpretation and application of the Protocol.
- Sovereignty and identity: Some unionists argue that the Protocol undermines Northern Ireland’s place within the UK. It creates a different regulatory regime compared to the rest of the UK. Some nationalists, have argued that the Protocol is necessary to protect the Good Friday Agreement and maintain peace on the island of Ireland.
CONCLUSION
It has taken three prime ministers, seven lawsuits by the EU and three NI secretaries to arrive at this moment. The UK and the EU are inching closer to a final deal to address all the concerns that were raised by the NI protocol. The NI protocol has been a complex and contentious issue and has caused great stress on Northern Ireland’s relations with the UK and EU. Whatever deal Prime Minister Sunak signs will have a long-term impact on the relations between the three.
