This briefing paper provides an overview of some the main features of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol as they relate to the role and responsibilities of the AERA Committee and also identifies outstanding questions/issues around its implementation and operation moving forward.

This paper is not intended as a forensic examination of the Protocol in terms of its content or its implementation, as at the time of writing there are elements of the Protocol which are still effectively ‘work in progress’ between the UK and EU. Rather, the intended purpose of this paper is to provide an accessible ‘first taste’ of the Protocol.

Section 2 provides some background to the ‘Brexit’ process and the transition period so far.

Section 3 then describes in outline terms the nature of the Protocol and its intended purpose, including a summary of most of the key articles.

Section 4 then considers the annexes to the Protocol, and particularly the importance of Annex 2.

Section 5 discusses the operation and ‘architecture’ of the Protocol, including the function and make-up of the Joint Committee.

The paper ends with a set of observations and questions on issues such as the impacts of the Protocol on Northern Ireland in the future, the potential for its scope and nature to evolve, and the ways in which the NI Executive may play a role in its operation in the future

Read full paper >> Research and Information Service Briefing Paper, 18th June 2020