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Introduction to the Northern Ireland Protocol


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Facebook, Irish Shipping & Transport Ltd. - An overview of the Northern Ireland protocol post Brexit.


The Northern Ireland Protocol is a protocol to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement which deals specifically with the impacts of Brexit regarding the particular circumstances in Northern Ireland. The Brexit negotiations were a lengthy and complicated process, especially regarding Northern Ireland. Brexit would remove Northern Ireland from the European Union whilst the Republic of Ireland remained a member that raised issues over the potential border between the countries.


The protocol aimed to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland due to the circumstances of Northern Ireland’s geographical and political history. This was necessary to uphold the Good Friday Agreement 1998, a highly significant document in Northern Ireland’s history.


What does the protocol state?


The protocol has been successful in avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, regarding the movement of goods between the countries. This means that Northern Ireland still enjoys the ability to move goods across Ireland as it did before Brexit, namely without customs checks and additional tariffs.


To avoid such a border, the protocol implemented a new border on the Irish Sea, between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom mainland. The protocol states that ‘Northern Ireland businesses will maintain unfettered access to the UK internal market in an attempt to minimize any adjustments which would be required to the process of transporting goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.


How have politicians in Northern Ireland reacted?


The reaction has differed across community lines, with the majority of Unionist politicians opposing the protocol while Nationalist politicians recognize the benefits it can bring to Northern Ireland.


Edwin Poots, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, has described the protocol as a massive challenge for us.’ In February of this year, the DUP launched legal proceedings challenging the protocol, in the form of judicial review. The move reflects the Unionist frustration with the protocol, focusing on the impact for businesses trading with the United Kingdom.


On the other hand, the benefits of the protocol have been recognized by Nationalist politicians and leaders. Sinead McLaughlin, Foyle MLA for the Social Democratic and Labour Party, has stated it would be ‘irresponsible to overlook the opportunities it [the protocol] creates in giving Northern Ireland membership of both the UK’s Internal Market and the EU Single Market.’


Where does public opinion in Northern Ireland stand on the protocol?


Public opinion on the protocol varies greatly. Many Unionists are opposed to the protocol, and this has been demonstrated by anti-protocol signs and graffiti appearing in many areas. Protests have happened as well, with a large one intending to go ahead on June 5, 2021. This would be the largest one yet, with the potential to see 4,000 people gather.


A recent poll conducted in Northern Ireland shows that 47% of the public want their MLAs to support the protocol in a future vote, whilst 42% believe it should be removed.


The protocol has proven to be a divisive issue, with poll results being narrow and some politicians working to remove the protocol. This is likely to remain an issue for some time, and the Stormont Assembly is due to vote on the protocol in 2024. By 2024, the significance of the protocol may have changed, or it may remain a key area of focus for many Unionist politicians.



Edited by Deeksha Cirigadi


What you can do


  • Keep up-to-date with developments to the negotiations between the UK and EU on the protocol

  • Keep up-to-date with the new leader of the DUP, Edwin Poots, as he makes strong criticisms of the protocol which may influence the future of the Northern Ireland political landscape



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