New Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee established
31 January 2025
The Liaison Committee recommended the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee which was appointed by the House on Thursday 30 January 2025.
- Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee
- Liaison Committee Report: A Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee
- European Affairs Sub-Committee on the Windsor Framework: Reports and letters
Background
In April 2021, the European Affairs Committee appointed a Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. The Sub-Committee was charged with examining relevant UK legislation and policy; the work of the governance bodies established under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement;
and the implementation of the Protocol. It was also assigned responsibility for conducting inter-parliamentary dialogue with the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Irish Oireachtas. In 2023, it was renamed the Windsor Framework Sub-Committee, with an equivalent remit to scrutinise the
operation of, and evolving context for, the Windsor Framework agreement relating to Northern Ireland. The remit of the Sub-Committee ended at the dissolution of Parliament on 30 May 2024.
In October 2024, the Liaison Committee recommended the establishment of a new Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee, recognizing the continuing need for a House of Lords committee focused on Northern Ireland scrutiny. The new committee has a remit “to scrutinise EU legislation within the scope of the Protocol/Windsor Framework, and relevant UK legislation and policy, and to examine related matters.”
Committee Membership
The Chair of the Committee is Lord Carlile of Berriew (Crossbench). The other Members of the Committee are:
- Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party)
- Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party)
- Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated)
- Baroness Goudie (Labour)
- Lord Hain (Labour)
- Lord Lexden (Conservative)
- Lord McInnes of Kilwinning (Conservative)
- Baroness O’Loan (Crossbench)
- Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour)
- Lord Thomas of Gresford (Liberal Democrat)
- Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat)
Chair's comments
The Chair of the Committee, Lord Carlile of Berriew said:
“As Chair of the new Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee, I am looking forward to beginning our important work. We will aim to provide clarity for business and the public in relation to the Windsor Framework. The Committee will build upon the work of the Windsor Framework Sub-Committee from the last Parliament, closely examining the impact of the arrangements on all affected sectors of the Northern Ireland economy, as well as their wider effects on social and political life. In doing so, the Committee will assist and inform Parliament and promote the best interests of Northern Ireland.”