What Next In The Saga Of The Northern Ireland Protocol?
The Independent|February 21, 2023
Suggestions that some sort of breakthrough agreement between the UK and EU on Northern Ireland is imminent have been dismissed by Downing Street. Early next week is the latest rumour on timing, but even then it may not suit Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politicians who are still boycotting the power-sharing executive in Stormont because of it. Whether this latest iteration of the 800-year-old "Irish Question" will ever be solved remains to be seen.
Sean O'grady
What Next In The Saga Of The Northern Ireland Protocol?

What is the Northern Ireland protocol?

It is part of the UK-EU withdrawal agreement which is enshrined in the Brexit treaty, or EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement; it can't be changed or renegotiated without the consent of both sides, though it can be rescinded.

It is a cause of constant grief to many Unionists, especially the DUP and hardline loyalists in Northern Ireland because it means that sending goods from say Bradford to Belfast is now procedurally different to sending them from Bradford to Bristol. In many cases, customs declarations must be filled in and some Northern Ireland businesses find the disruption to supplies from the rest of the UK irksome and costly. Consumers in Northern Ireland complain that once-familiar items are no longer on supermarket shelves.

On a more purely political level the DUP says the protocol leaves a democratic deficit, with laws made in Brussels imposed on them and the authority of a foreign judiciary, the European Court, would remain in the province even after being removed for the rest of the UK.

On the other hand, nationalists and republicans and the nonaligned Alliance Party are less concerned about the drawbacks, and like the fact that, for some other businesses, the protocol endows them with friction-free access to the Irish and wider EU market as well as barrier-free exports to the rest of the UK, the best of both worlds. They, and the Ulster Unionists, want devolved government back - even with the protocol still in dispute.

The protocol is a compromise that avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland, which would break at least the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and threaten a return to the Troubles. As with all compromises, it means sacrifices and concessions on all sides.

What is the root of the problem?

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView all
Relax Kemi, history's on your side in the battle with Farage
The Independent

Relax Kemi, history's on your side in the battle with Farage

Conservative MPs are worried. They weren’t worried when Andrea Jenkyns, formerly one of their number, defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 11, 2024
Unlike Starmer, Farage's charisma lights up the room
The Independent

Unlike Starmer, Farage's charisma lights up the room

The extraordinary poll showing Reform UK has overtaken the Labour Party in popularity can be attributed to many factors.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 11, 2024
Okolie follows in footsteps of giants with weight switch
The Independent

Okolie follows in footsteps of giants with weight switch

Lawrence Okolie is a big lad, and he has always been a big lad.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 11, 2024
Year of living dangerously: our season awards for 2024
The Independent

Year of living dangerously: our season awards for 2024

Kieran Jackson on best driver, biggest shock and much more

time-read
4 mins  |
December 11, 2024
Injury-plagued City cannot afford to slip up in Turin
The Independent

Injury-plagued City cannot afford to slip up in Turin

Manchester City's manager had his head in his hands.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 11, 2024
Liverpool's imperfect win maintains perfect campaign
The Independent

Liverpool's imperfect win maintains perfect campaign

The mathematics of a complicated competition may remain unclear but one element is apparent.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 11, 2024
Thames Water's operation is simply not good enough
The Independent

Thames Water's operation is simply not good enough

Deeply in debt and proposing huge price hikes, the troubled company is holding customers to ransom

time-read
3 mins  |
December 11, 2024
Murdoch loses court case in real-life 'Succession' battle
The Independent

Murdoch loses court case in real-life 'Succession' battle

Rupert Murdoch's attempt to give his eldest son control of his family media empire has been blocked by a US court after a lengthy legal battle with three of his other children.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 11, 2024
Netanyahu takes witness stand in corruption trial
The Independent

Netanyahu takes witness stand in corruption trial

Benjamin Netanyahu has become Israel’s first sitting prime minister to testify as a criminal defendant – having taken the witness stand in his lengthy corruption trial.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 11, 2024
US shooting suspect shouts as he's dragged into court
The Independent

US shooting suspect shouts as he's dragged into court

Mangione: 'It's an insult to the intelligence of Americans'

time-read
2 mins  |
December 11, 2024