Windsor Framework 

The Northern Ireland Protocol

Background

• After the UK left the European Union, Northern Ireland remained its only constituent that shared a 310 mile land border with an EU-member, the Republic of Ireland.

• Since the EU and the UK have different product standards, border checks would be necessary before goods could move from Northern Ireland to Ireland.
• However, the two Irelands have had a long history of conflict. They secured peace only in 1998 under the Belfast Agreement, also called the Good Friday agreement.
  • An open border between the two was a key component of Good Friday agreement.
• Keeping this in mind, Northern Ireland Protocol was negotiated in 2020 between U.K. & E.U.

About The Protocol

• It is a trading agreement that was negotiated in 2020 between the U.K. and the E.U.
• Under this agreement both the U.K. and E.U. agreed that the inspection of goods would be conducted between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
  • This agreement effectively created a de facto border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of U.K.
• Northern Ireland continued to follow many of the EU’s rules, meaning that lorries can continue to drive across the border without having to be inspected.
• The protocol was signed as part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, which is now ratified under international law.

Why Has The Protocol Been A Source Of Tension?

• Political Division
  • The protocol has led to political division in Northern Ireland and created rifts within the U.K.’s Conservative Party over what it means for Brexit.
  • Any kind of border in the Irish Sea irked those who want a united U.K.

• Intra-UK Trade Affected (Trade between Great Britain and Northern Island)
  • The checks made trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland cumbersome, with food products, especially, losing out on shelf life while they waited for clearance.
  • Some taxation and spending policies of the UK government could not be implemented in Northern Ireland because of EU rules.
  • The sale of medicines, too, was caught between different British and EU rules.