The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland refers to the agreement that was attached to the Withdrawal Agreement of the United Kingdom from the European Union. This protocol aims to address the issues surrounding the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland after Brexit.
One of the main concerns surrounding Brexit was the potential for a hard border to be reinstated between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This would have severe implications for trade, travel, and the peace process in the region. The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland aims to prevent this by ensuring that there is no hard border between the two nations.
The protocol outlines a number of measures to achieve this, including maintaining regulatory alignment between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, along with the rest of the EU. This means that Northern Ireland will continue to follow many EU rules and regulations, including customs arrangements, even though it will technically be outside of the EU.
Another key aspect of the protocol is the creation of a Joint Committee, made up of representatives from the UK and the EU, to oversee the implementation of the agreement. This committee will have the power to make decisions about issues such as customs arrangements and the movement of goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
The protocol also includes a provision that allows Northern Ireland to opt-out of some of these arrangements if the Northern Ireland Assembly agrees to do so. However, this provision has not yet been activated, and it remains to be seen whether it will be used in the future.
Overall, the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is an important agreement that aims to protect the peace process in the region and prevent the return of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. While there are still some uncertainties surrounding its implementation, it is a significant step towards ensuring that Brexit does not have negative consequences for this important part of Europe.