Committee begins its examination of the Windsor Framework by hearing from key political and legal experts
The House of Lords Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland holds the first evidence session of its new inquiry into the Windsor Framework.
Meeting details
Background
The Windsor Framework was announced by the UK and the EU on 27 February 2023 as “a set of meaningful changes to the Protocol and its operation which will provide lasting certainty and stability for citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland.” The Sub-Committee launched its inquiry on 17 March, when it published its Call for Written Evidence, seeking responses by Tuesday 2 May. Over the coming weeks the Committee will also take oral evidence from business and community representatives, legal and academic experts and political representatives. It also has written to the Foreign Secretary inviting him to appear before the Committee. The Sub-Committee aims to publish its findings by the summer.
Possible questions
The Committee will ask the witnesses for their assessment of:
- The Windsor Framework and the extent to which it resolves the problems that have arisen with the Protocol
- The proposed Stormont Brake and the conditions for its use
- The Windsor Framework’s impact on the UK and EU’s joint commitment to protect the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, “including its subsequent implementation agreements and arrangements, in all its dimensions and in all its strands”
- The Windsor Framework’s provisions in relation to customs procedures and the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the arrangements for ‘green’ and ‘red’ lanes and an enhanced Trusted Trader Scheme
- Proposals on VAT and excise, and State aid
- Impact of the Windsor Framework on human and veterinary medicines
- Significance of the Windsor Framework for regulatory divergence, both East-West between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, and North-South, on the island of Ireland
- The Windsor Framework’s impact on the application of EU law to Northern Ireland.
- Impact on the role of the CJEU
- The proposed enhanced mechanisms for UK-EU cooperation and engagement with Northern Ireland stakeholders