12 October 2022 - Northern Ireland Protocol Bill - Oral evidence

Background

The Committee launched its inquiry into the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill on 30 August, after the Bill completed its parliamentary passage through the House of Commons and was presented to the House of Lords in July. The inquiry, which follows the July publication of the Committee’s follow-up report on the socio-economic and political impact of the Protocol, will inform the House of Lords’ detailed consideration of the Bill. The Committee began its scrutiny during September by holding evidence sessions with business representatives and legal experts. This evidence session will follow the Second Reading debate on the Bill taking place on Tuesday 11 September, in which the Chair and other members of the Committee will participate.

Watch the evidence session: Parliamentlive.tv

Possible questions:

• How would you characterise the political, economic and legal impact of the Protocol as it is currently operating on Northern Ireland?
• What is your overall assessment of the UK Government and EU’s approach in relation to the Protocol?
• What is your assessment of the political, economic and legal impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill?
• Does the Bill represent a viable means to address the current issues that have arisen under the Protocol?
• What is your assessment of the Government’s argument that the Bill is necessary to safeguard the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement?
• What impact will the Bill have on the economic and political climate in Northern Ireland, and on North/South and East/West relations, if and when it comes into law?
• As talks between the UK and the EU resume, how likely is it that the issues which the Bill attempts to tackle will be addressed through a mutually agreed settlement?
• What, in your view, is the way forward to resolve the current impasse?

Further information

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