In this week’s EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant to EU exit. We also update you on recent developments in relation to the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland. The Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland has published a paper “Attracting foreign direct investment to Northern Ireland in the context of our post EU exit trading relationships” and the National Audit Office has published a report on regulation post EU exit.
Update on the Protocol
The House of Lords scrutiny of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill has continued in recent weeks with Committee Stage now completed. Report Stage, which provides an opportunity to closely scrutinise elements of the Bill and make changes, has not yet been scheduled.
Four days of committee stage took place on 25 October, 31 October, 2 November and 7 November. Members speaking on day four of committee stage put forward amendments (changes) to discuss.
These amendments covered a range of subjects, including:-
- removing ministerial power to engage in any conduct in relation to any matter dealt with in the Protocol (clause 18);
- the position of the negotiations with the EU and seeking further clarity on them from the Government;
- engagement with the UK's devolved Administrations regarding international agreements; and
- the role of the Northern Ireland Assembly in respect of the role of the European Court.
Members said they would return to some of these issues at Report Stage. You can catch up with Committee Stage for the Bill on Parliament TV and read the Lords Hansard transcript.
Miscellaneous updated guidance etc.
The latest guidance updates, and publications relevant to EU exit are as follows:-