The Northern Ireland Protocol

Between the late 1960s to 1998 : The Northern Ireland conflict (also nicknamed as “the Troubles”). Consequences : over 3,500 deaths and widespread social and political unrest.

The Good Friday Agreement (also known as the Belfast Agreement) was signed on April 10, 1998, marking a pivotal moment in the Northern Ireland peace process. It aimed to end decades of conflict.

The Northern Ireland Protocol

Summary

1) The historical context

2) The tensions and issues

3) The Good Friday Agreement

4) The Windsor Framework

• In 1167 : The first invasion by the Normans, led by Richard de Clare.

• By 1177 : The Anglo-Normans established control over the island.

• Between the 17th century to the beginning of the 20th century : several uprisings and rebellions in Ireland.

• In April 1916 : The Easter Rising (during World War I).

• Between 1919 -1921 : Irish War of Independence, a guerrilla war between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and British forces.

• In 1921 : The Anglo-Irish Treaty

- ended the conflict and established the Irish Free State, a dominion within the British Commonwealth.- partitioned Ireland = creating Northern Ireland (six counties of Ulster) as a separate entity within the United Kingdom. This division ensured a Protestant/unionist majority in Northern Ireland.

• In 1948 : the creation of the Republic of Ireland

BREXIT's objectives : Parliament regains full control of its laws without compliance with EU membership. Establish its own customs rules and standards, rather than following those set by the EU.

UK major issue

Preserve UK unity despite divisions between countries on the BREXIT issue → England : 53.4% in favor of leaving → Northern Ireland : 55.9% in favor of staying → Wales : 52.5% in favor of staying → Scotland : 62.0% in favor of staying

-The Northern Ireland Protocol: January 24, 2020, and effective January 1, 2021. Signed alongside the Brexit. To protect the Good Friday Agreement. To maintain the integrity of EU single market. - The Windsor Framework, Introduced in 2023. Modifies the Northern Ireland Protocol to simplify trade rules. Address practical challenges and ease political tensions. - Green and Red Lanes: Goods destined for Northern Ireland use a simplified "green lane" with minimal checks. Goods moving into the EU (via Ireland) go through a "red lane" for standard customs controls​. - The Stormont Brake : Gives the Northern Ireland Assembly the power to reject new EU laws deemed significantly impactful on its economy or society, adding local accountability​.

Northern Ireland's/Republic of Ireland's demands

The UK's demands

The EU's wishes

• Ensure that Northern Ireland is subject to UK regulations to maintain the integrity of the UK :

→ avoid strengthening independence movements in other countries.

• Avoid customs controls in the Irish Sea : Northern Ireland Unionists do not want a border separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

• No physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

• Northern Ireland stays in the EU single market.

• Find a compromise between Ireland and the UK.

• Maintain the integrity of the EU single market.

• Give to Northern Ireland more power about the EU decisions related to it : The Stormont Brake.

Unofficial goal : to facilitate a possible reunification of the two territories as one country in the future.

Has the Northern Ireland Protocol really been the legal solution to Brexit ?