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House of Commons

There are two Committees in the House of Commons with ongoing responsibilities for scrutinizing the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Primary responsibility lies with the European Scrutiny Committee. In its 2020  on how to ensure effective scrutiny of the UK's post-Brexit relationship with the EU, it noted the need for scrutiny of the Joint Committee, the Specialised Committee, and the Joint Consultative Working Group. It called on the UK Government to: ensure advance publication of agendas, provide a pre-brief from Ministers on the UK’s position (in private if sensitive), and supply a post-meeting statement. It also called on the UK Government to provide intelligence about the development of proposals for EU legislation that will apply under the Protocol, early sight of proposals, and explanatory memoranda. The work of the European Scrutiny Committee (ESC) can be accessed . Key activities relating to the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland are listed below. 

Also taking a keen interest in the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC). Its work can be accessed . Key activities relating to the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland are listed below.

Several other Commons Committees scrutinise the implementation of the Protocol, or aspects of it, on an intermittent basis, for example, the International Trade Committee (ITC), the Common Frameworks Scrutiny Committee (CFSC) the Public Bill Committee (PBC), the Committee of Public Accounts (CPA) and the Delegated Legislation Committee (DLC). Where relevant, the activities of these Committees are also listed below. 

 

September 2022+

DATE COMMITTEE ACTIVITY ISSUES COVERED
07.12.2022 ESC

Correspondence:

Letter from Committee Chair Sir William Cash to DEFRA Minister Lord Benyon regarding the supply of veterinary medicines to NI in view of the scheduled end of the relevant grace period on 31 Dec 2022. 
07.12.2022 ESC

Correspondence:

Letter from Committee Chair Sir William Cash to DEFRA Minister Lord Benyon regarding an EU proposal for a Regulation on trade of certain commodities associated with deforestation and forest degradation and its implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
05.12.2022 NIAC

Correspondence: Scrutiny of Article 2 of the Protocol

Letter from Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt to Chair of the Committee Simon Hoare on arrangements for scrutiny of Article 2 of the Protocol implications for/in UK legislation.
29.11.2022 Chamber

Debate:

The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Bill was read for the second time and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton Harris answered questions from Members on it. 
28.11.2022 BEIS

Correspondence:

Letter from Chair of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee David Jones to BEIS Secretary of State Grant Shapps regarding the Impact Assessment of the Retained EU Law Bill being deemed 'not fit for purpose' by the Regulatory Policy Committee. 
28.11.2022 ESC

Correspondence:

Letter from DEFRA Minister Lord Benyon to Committee Chair Sir William Cash regarding the supply of veterinary medicines to NI in view of the scheduled end of the relevant grace period on 31 Dec 2022. 
23.11.2022 ESC

Report:

Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including proposals for a new (ESPR) and for a and their potential implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
09.11.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: Northern Ireland Office

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton Harris answered questions from Members including on: ,  the , and .  
09.11.2022 ESC

Correspondence:

Letter from DEFRA Minister Lord Benyon to Committee Chair Sir William Cash regarding an EU proposal for a Regulation on trade of certain commodities associated with deforestation and forest degradation and its implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol.  
08.11.2022 ESC

Correspondence:

Letter from DEFRA Minister Rebecca Pow to Committee Chair Sir William Cash on EU proposal regarding shipments of waste and its implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
01.11.2022 ESC

Report:

Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including proposals for a new and proposed new , and their implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol.
26.10.2022 ESC

Oral Evidence:

Committee heard from UK in a Changing Europe Research Associate Joël Reland and Head of Financial Institutions at Shearman & Sterling LLP Barney Reynolds on UK regulation after Brexit. 
18.10.2022 ESC

Report:

Report on UK arrangements for scrutiny of EU institutions and legislation following UK withdrawal and the continuing role of the Committee. 
18.10.2022 ESC

Report:

Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including those related to EU rules on seed potatoes, proposed measures on , establishment of , and EU rules on minimum VAT rates, and their implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
18.10.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: Northern Ireland Office

Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker answered questions from Members including on . 
13.10.2022 ESC

Correspondence:

Letter from Foreign Secretary Rt Hon James Cleverly to Committee Chair Sir William Cash MP about the European Commission recent launch of a website dedicated to the Protocol and EU law that applies under it.
12.10.2022 ESC

Correspondence: and the

Letters from Committee Chair Sir William Cash to Economic Secretary to the Treasury Richard Fuller regarding new EU rules on minimum VAT rates and the new EU Single Customs Window and their respective implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
12.10.2022 ESC

Correspondence:

Letter from Committee Chair Sir William Cash to Chair of the Procedure Committee Rt Hon Karen Bradley regarding arrangements for continued scrutiny of the EU after Brexit including the commitment of the UK government to provide information on law that applies to Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
12.10.2022 ESC

Correspondence:

Letter from Committee Chair Sir William Cash to Minister of State for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure, Julia Lopez, about the governments Data Protection and Digital Information Bill and its relevance to the EU/UK data adequacy decisions.
12.10.2022 ESC

Correspondence:

Letter from Committee Chair Sir William Cash to Minister for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity Rt Hon Lord Benyon about EU proposals to change legislation regarding  seed potatoes that applies to Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
27.09.2022 ESC

Report:

Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including proposals for new regulations on and on , and their potential implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
07.09.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: Northern Ireland Office

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris answered questions from Members including on: , the , and
06.09.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: FCDO

Minister for Europe Graham Stuart answered questions from Members including on the . 

 

January to September 2022

DATE COMMITTEE ACTIVITY ISSUES COVERED
22.09.2022 Chamber

Written Statement:

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Jacob Rees-Mogg made a statement to the House introducing the .
07.09.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: Northern Ireland Office

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris answered questions from MPs including on: the , the , and .
06.09.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: FCDO

Minister of State for Europe Graham Stuart answered questions from MPs including on: the .
25.07.2022 ESC

Report: 

Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including the new EU veterinary medicines framework (), the new EU regulation on fertilisers () and EU law provisions related to GB-NI medicine supplies, and their implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
21.07.2022 ESC

Report:

Committee report on the future of retained EU law in the UK with reference to possible implications for NI under the Protocol.

: Published 15 November 2022

20.07.2022 Chamber

Committee Stage Debate:

MPs debated the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill on the third day of its Committee Stage.
19.07.2022 Chamber

Committee Stage Debate:

MPs debated the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill on the second day of its Committee Stage. 
13.07.2022 Chamber

Committee Stage Debate: 

MPs debated the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill on the first day of its Committee Stage. 
29.06.2022 NIAC

Oral Evidence: 

Committee heard from Professor of International and EU Law at King's College London, Holger Hestermeyer and Emeritus Professor of Public International Law at University of Edinburgh, Alan Boyle, regarding the legality of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill as introduced.
27.06.2022 Chamber 

Second Reading Debate: 

MPs debated the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill during its second reading.
22.06.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: Northern Ireland Office

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis answered questions from MPs including on: . 
22.06.2022 ESC

Report:

Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including the EU proposal to changing on construction products which applies to NI under the Protocol. 
21.06.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

UK Foreign Minister and Co-Chair of UK-EU Joint Committee Liz Truss answered questions from MPs including on the: .
13.06.2022 NIAC

Correspondence: 

Correspondence from Foreign Secretary and UK Co-Chair of UK-EU Joint Committee, Liz Truss MP, regarding the introduced by the government that would see elements of the Protocol disapplied in domestic law. 
15.06.2022 ESC

Oral Evidence:

Committee heard evidence from Ambassador and Head of UKMis, Lindsay Croisdale-Appleby CMG; and Director of Economics and Trade in UKMis, Will Macfarlane, on the operation and effectiveness of the UK's representation to the EU. 
09.06.2022 Chamber

Urgent Questions: 

Foreign Office Minister, James Cleverly, answered questions from MPs on the UK government proposals to override aspects of the Protocol in domestic law. 
26.05.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: Attorney General

Attorney General Suella Braverman took questions from MPs regarding the UK government's plans to amend domestic law provisions for the implementation of the .
18.05.2022 ESC

Oral Evidence: 

Committee heard from Professor in Law at Cardiff University, Jo Hunt, Senior Lecturer in UK Public Law at Aberdeen University, Robert Taylor, Dean for International Stakeholder Engagement at Aberdeen University, Adelyn Wilson, and Professor of Human Rights and Equality Law at 鶹, Christopher McCrudden, about the status and future of retained EU law in the UK. 
17.05.2022 Chamber Statement:  Foreign Secretary and UK Co-Chair of the Joint Committee, Liz Truss, made a statement to the House on the Protocol and the UK government's willingness to take unilateral action if agreement with the EU cannot be reached regarding its implementation. 
11.05.2022 Chamber Statement:  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, made a statement to the House regarding the outcome of elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly. 
11.05.2022 ESC Correspondence:  Letter from Committee Chair Sir William Cash regarding EU proposal for a Regulation on trade of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation and its likely implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
11.05.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Committee Chair Sir William Cash regarding EU proposal for a Regulation establishing a carbon border adjustment mechanism and likely implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
03.05.2022 NIAC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Secretary of State for NI Brandon Lewis to Committee Chair, Simon Hoare, regarding the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme and its implications for the operation of the CTA and cross-border travel on the island of Ireland. 
29.04.2022 Chamber

Debate: 

Members debated the Protocol and recent developments in talks between the UK and EU on its implementation.
28.04.2022 ESC

Correspondence:

Letter from Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency, Jacob Rees-Mogg to Committee Chair, Sir William Cash regarding UK government plans to delay implementation of import controls on EU goods entering GB. 
28.04.2022 ESC

Oral Evidence: 

Committee heard from Minister for Europe and North America at the FCDO, James Cleverly, and Director General for Europe at the FCDO, Julian Braithwaite, about UK-EU relations. The discussion addressed the Protocol at length. 
28.04.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Committee Chair, Sir William Cash MP, to Minister for Trade Policy, Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, regarding a proposed new EU rules to counter economic coercion and their likely implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol and the UK in general. 
20.04.2022 ESC

Oral Evidence: 

Committee heard from Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency in the Cabinet Office, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, about the future of regulation after Brexit. The discussion addressed the Protocol. 
30.03.2022 ESC

Report: 

Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including EU's proposed new  and its implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
30.03.2022 ESC

Oral Evidence: 

Committee heard from Head of Financial Institutions at Shearman & Sterling LLP Barney Reynolds; Professor of Law at Cambridge University Alison Young, Arbitrator at Brick Court Chambers and Visiting Professor at King's College London Sir Richard Aikens, about the status of retained EU law and its future. The discussion briefly considered the Protocol and its implications.
28.03.2022 NIAC

Oral Evidence: 

Committee heard from Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP, Permanent Secretary in the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Madeleine Alessandri and Director of Economy and Protocol in the NIO, Colin Perry, on general matters related to the work of the department, including issues related to the implementation of the Protocol. 
22.03.2022 NIAC

Oral Evidence: Investment in Northern Ireland ()()

Committee heard from Economy Minister at NI Department for the Economy (DfE), Gordon Lyons MLA and Head of the Economic Strategy Group at the DfE, Paul Grocott, in Session I.
Committee heard from Minister of Finance at NI Department of Finance (DF), Conor Murphy MLA, DF Acting Head of Central Expenditure Division, Jeff McGuinness, Laura McDonald from Strategic Policy and Reform team in DF and Departmental Assembly Liaison Officer in DF, Aidan Higgins, in Session II.
Both sessions focused on investment in Northern Ireland and included discussion relevant to the implementation of the Protocol. 

16.03.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Committee Chair Sir William Cash MP to FCDO Minister for Europe James Cleverly MP concerning an EU proposal for a Regulation regarding deforestation and its implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
16.03.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from DEFRA Minister Jo Churchill MP to Committee Chair Sir William Cash regarding the UK's to EU Regulations concerning the shipment of waste, including its approach to implementation of relevant UK obligations under the Protocol. 
16.03.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, Rt Hon Greg Hands, to Committee Chair, Sir William Cash, regarding the implications of EU proposals for a Carbon Border Adjustment mechanism for the UK and, specifically, Northern Ireland. 
09.03.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Committee Chair Sir William Cash MP to Minister for Trade Policy Penny Mordaunt MP regarding the implications of the likely dual application of the EU's tariff preference scheme for developing countries and the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme in Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
09.03.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Committee Chair Sir William Cash MP to Minister for Health Edward Argar MP regarding EU legislative proposals for maintaining GB-NI medicines supplies. 
09.03.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: Northern Ireland Office

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis answered questions including on: 
09.03.2022 ESC

Report: 

Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including the and EU measures related to the supply of medicines from GB to NI.  
07.03.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Treasury Minister Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP to Chair of the Committee Sir William Cash regarding EU proposals for a Single Customs Window and its likely implications for the UK and, specifically, Northern Ireland. 
02.03.2022 ESC

Oral Evidence: 

Committee heard from: Senior Research Fellow at Policy Exchange's Judicial Power Project Sir Stephen Laws QC; Maurice Wohl Research Fellow in European Rule of Law at the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law Dr Oliver Garner; Researcher at the Hansard Society, Dr Tom West; and Barrister Martin Howe QC, about the status and implications of retained EU law including for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
23.02.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Chair of the Committee, Sir William Cash, to Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Jo Churchill MP, about an EU proposal for a Regulation on shipments of waste and its potential implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol.
23.02.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Chair of the Committee, Sir William Cash, to Treasury Minister Rt Hon. Lucy Frazer QC MP on EU rules on minimum VAT rates and the implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
23.02.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Chair of the Committee, Sir William Cash, to Minister for Trade Policy, Rt Hon. Penny Mordaunt MP, on a proposed EU anti-coercion Regulation and its implications for the UK, including Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
23.02.2022 ESC

Report: 

Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including on the EU waste shipments regulation and EU rules on minimum VAT rates and their respective implications for the UK and Northern Ireland as a consequence of the Protocol. 
09.02.2022 ESC

Report: 

Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including those on EU's Climate Change Policy, proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, legislation dealing with GB-NI livestock movements and  EU law on persistent organic pollutants including their implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol.  
09.02.2022 ESC

Oral Evidence: 

Committee heard from Senior Consultant at Linklaters LLP, Sire Jonathan Jones QC and Partner at Bates Wells, Eleonor Duhs, about the status and implications of retained EU law including for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
09.02.2022 Chamber

Prime Ministers Questions

Prime Minister Boris Johnson answered questions including on: 
09.02.2022 CPA

Report: 

A report from the Committee of Public Accounts on the development of the UK's border regime following EU Exit and in the post-transition period. The report includes a review of the new arrangements for the movement of goods GB-NI under the Protocol. 
09.02.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Chair of the Committee, Sir William Cash, to Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, Rt Hon. Greg Hands MP, on the EU proposal for a Regulation establishing a carbon border adjustment mechanism and its possible implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
09.02.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Chair of the Committee, Sir William Cash, to Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, Rt Hon. Greg Hands MP, on proposals regarding the EU ETS and its implications for Northern Ireland and the operation of the Single Electricity Market under the Protocol.  
08.02.2022 NIAC

Oral Evidence: 

Committee heard from Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister of State, Conor Burns, NIO Head of Economy Group, Stephen Rusk, and NIO Deputy Director of Political Affairs, Paul Flynn on the implementation of the New Decade, New Approach agreement two years on, including provisions related to the Protocol.
27.02.2022 NIAC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Minister for Safe and Legal Migration, Kevin Foster MP, to clarify the UK government position on deprivation of British citizenship and the interaction of relevant powers with the 1998 Agreement.
27.01.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Chair of the Committee, Sir William Cash, to Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on the Government's reviews of retained EU law. 
26.01.2022 Chamber

Ministerial Questions: Northern Ireland Office

Prime Ministers Questions

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis answered questions including on:  /  

Prime Minister Boris Johnson answered questions including on: 
26.01.2022 ESC

Correspondence: 

Letter from Chair of the Committee, Sir William Cash, to Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Frazer, regarding the EU's 'Single Customs Window' for trade in goods and its implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
26.01.2022 -

Written Statement: Prime Minister

26.01.2022 NIAC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from President at Ulster Farmers' Union, Victor Chestnutt, Executive Director at NI Food and Drink Association, Michael Bell, CEO at Livestock and Meat Commission for NI, Ian Stevenson, as well as High Commissioner at Australian High Commission, Hon George Brandis QC, and High Commissioner at New Zealand High Commission, Bede Corry, about the implications of the UK-Australia FTA on Northern Ireland. 
19.01.2022 NIAC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from Chair at Matrix (The Northern IReland Science Industry Panel), Dr Robert Grundy, Belfast Managing Director at Thales UK, Philip McBride, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at 鶹, Professor Emma Flyn, regarding investment in Northern Ireland; the discussion included consideration of the Protocol and its implications. 
12.01.2022 NIAC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from Deputy CEO and OCO Global, Gareth Hagan, and Director at Pivotal Public Policy Forum, Ann Watt, regarding investment in Northern Ireland; the discussion included consideration of the Protocol and its implications. 
12.01.2022 ESC Report:  Report lists recent EU documents considered not political or legally important by the Committee

 

2021

DATECOMMITTEE ACTIVITYISSUES COVERED
15.12.2021 Westminster Hall A debate was held on 'Securing a veterinary agreement in the Northern Ireland Protocol'. 
15.12.2021 ESC Correspondence:  Letter from Commitee Chair, Sir William Cash, to Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Frazer QC MP, on the possible implications of draft EU legislation related to minimal VAT rates for Northern Ireland under the Protocol.  
08.12.2021 ESC Correspondence:  Letter from Commitee Chair, Sir William Cash, to Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Frazer QC MP, on the possible implications of EU's draft new Energy Taxation Directive for, in particular, Northern Ireland under the Protocol.
08.12.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents including the likely implications of the draft EU Energy Taxation Directive for Northern Ireland under the Protocol as well as the implications of changes to EU preferential rules of origin and EU trade preferences for developing countries for the operation of the Protocol. 
08.12.2021 Chamber Ministerial Questions: Northern Ireland Office Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis answered questions including on:  /  / 
08.12.2021 NIAC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Immigration and Future Borders at Home Office, Kevin Foster, and Head of Border Security and Identity Policy Unit at Migration and Borders Group, Nigel Farminer, about UK immigration policy and the operation of the Common Travel Area. 
08.12.2021 NIAC Correspondence:  Letter from Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, to Comittee Chair, Sir Simon Hoare, in response to letter of 19 August regarding UK government proposals set out in Northern Ireland Protocol: the way forward command paper. 
08.12.2021 NIAC Correspondence:  Letter from Committee Chair, Sir Simon Hoare, to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, and Cabinet Minister and UK Co-Chair of Joint Committee, Lord Frost, regarding UK government proposals set out in Northern Ireland Protocol: the way forward command paper. 
08.12.2021 ITC Oral Evidence:  International Trade Committee heard from CEO of Manufacturing NI, Stephen Kelly, Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, Aodhán Connolly, Senior Economist at Ulster University, Esmond Birnie, and Professor of Political Sociology at 鶹, Katy Hayward on the implementation of the Protocol and its impact on UK-EU trade and movement of goods within the UK. 
03.12.2021 ESC Correspondence:  Letter from Commitee Chair, Sir William Cash, to Cabinet Minister and UK Co-Chair of the Joint Committee, Lord Frost, about an EU proposal to update the list of potential members of any arbitration panel established under disputes relating to that treaty's interpretation and regarding the need to establish a similar list of arbitrators under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. 
01.03.2021 ESC Correspondence:  Letter from Commitee Chair, Sir William Cash, to Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, Greg Hands MP, about the EU proposal for a regulation establishing a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and the possible implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
01.12.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents including the likely implications of EU proposals for a standardised universal charger for smartphones and for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism as well as reviewing the EU's proposal for a new independent arbitrator under the Withdrawal Agreement and Trade and Cooperation Agreement.  
18.11.2021 Chamber Ministerial Statement:  Paymaster General, Michael Ellis, made a statement on the Protocol and related UK-EU negotiations in response to an Urgent Question. 
18.11.2021 DLC Debate:  Delegated Legislation Committee debated statutory instruments relating to the application of VAT on goods in Northern Ireland pursuant to obligations under the Protocol. 
17.11.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents including the likely implications of a proposed new EU General Product Safety Regulation and a recent EU implementing regulation regarding the requirements for animal identifcation of livestock from Northern Ireland.  
17.11.2021 ESC Correspondence:  Letter from Commitee Chair, Sir William Cash, to Minister for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity regarding Lord Benyon on the implications of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1064 regarding the configuration of animal identification code for the traceability of certain kept terrestrial animals in respect of Northern Ireland. 
9.11.2021 PBC Debate:  During the second sitting of Public Bill Committee for consideration of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, Members considered the implications of the Protocol on relevant provisions in the draft Bill. 
9.11.2021 CFC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from Department of Transport officials - Deputy Director of EU Division, Martin Jones; Deputy Director of Rail Industry Standards and Capabilty, Jeremy Hotchkiss; Team Leader on Future EU Roads Relationship Delivery, Clare Boan; and Head of EU Negotiations on Motoring and Freight, Osian Lewis - on the development of common frameworks related to the future of transport policy. The session considered the interaction of the Protocol with proposed Common Frameworks. 
3.11.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents related to the implementation of the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve and considers the likely implications for UK regions and sectors indirectly affected. 
3.11.2021 ESC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from (BEIS) Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets, Paul Scully, and (BEIS) CEO of the Office for Product Safety and Standards, Graham Russell, on prodcut safety in Northern Ireland and the implementation of the Protocol. 
2.11.2021 Public Bill Committee Debate:  During the sixth sitting of Public Bill Committee for consideration of the Subsidy Control Bill, Members considered the implications of Article 10 of the Protocol on relevant provisions in the draft Bill. 
27.10.2021 Chamber Ministerial Questions: Northern Ireland Office Secretary of State for Northern Ireland answered questions including on:  /  /  / . 
25.10.2021 ESC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from UK Co-Chair of UK-EU Joint Committee, Lord Frost and Director of Trade Partnership, EU Secretariat, Cabinet Office, Susannah Simon, on UK-EU talks about the Protocol and arrangements for Gibraltar. 
20.10.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents, including consideration of the possible implications of planned revisions to the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS), applicable under the Protocol, in Northern Ireland. 
22.09.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents and includes consideration of the possible implications of a draft EU Machinery Regulation and draft EU Energy Taxation Directive on Northern Ireland as a consequence of the Protocol. 
22.09.2021 ESC Correspondence:  Letter from Committee Chair, Sir William Cash, to Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Helen Whately MP, about the potential implications of the EU's new Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) on Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
22.09.2021 ESC Correspondence:  Letter from Committee Chair, Sir William Cash, to Paymaster General, Michael Ellis QC MP, about the potential implications of a proposed new EU Directive on the resilience of critical entities on Northern Ireland under the Protocol. 
03.08.2021 NIAC Correspondence:  Letter from Robin Walker MP responding to Committee Chairman Simon Hoare MPs recent correspondence concerning cross-border policing after Brexit. 
21.07.2021 Chamber Ministerial Questions: Northern Ireland Office Minister of State in the NIO, Robin Walker, answered questions including on the . This was followed by a statement from Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, also on the .
19.07.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents including the implications of an EU proposal to revoke EU laws concerning the feeding of certain animal proteins to non-ruminant animals on the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland and the implications of EU proposal for a digital database of catch certificates for fishery products which would apply to products moving GB-NI and NI-GB.
19.07.2021 ESC Correspondence:  Letter from Sir William Cash MP to Robin Walker MP about the possible implications of new EU proposal to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay on Article 2(1) of the Protocol regarding human rights and equality. 
14.07.2021 NIAC Correspondence:  Letter from Simon Hoare MP to Robin Walker MP about the government's response to Committee report Cross-border cooperation on policing, security and criminal justice after Brexit which set out a range of challenges for cross-border policing in the post-Brexit context.
12.07.2021 NIAC Correspondence:  Letter from Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič to Simon Hoare MP responding to earlier correspondence regarding the transparency of Protocol oversight bodies and accessibility of information relating to the implementation of the Protocol. 
07.07.2021  ESC  Report:   Report reviews recent EU documents including the implications of the EU’s critical infrastructure directive for the Single Electricity Market and the possible impact of the EU’s Gender Equality Strategy for the operation of the Protocol. 
23.06.2021 NIAC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP, Northern Ireland Office (Political) Director Mark Larmour and Northern Ireland Office (Economy) Director, Colin Perry, on UK government approach to NI generally and to implementation of the Protocol in particular. 
23.06.2021  ESC  Report:   Report reviews recent EU documents including those related to the EU Machinery Directive, and proposed changes to EU law in respect to animal feed, and the implication of these for the operation of the Protocol.
22.06.2021  FAC  Oral Evidence:   Committee heard from Cabinet Office Minister of State, Lord Frost, Director General of the EU Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, Matthew Taylor and Head of the UK Mission to the EU, Lindsay Croisdale-Appleby. 
18.06.2021 NIAC Correspondence:  Letter from NI Minister for the Economy, Paul Frew MLA, to Committee Chair, Simon Hoare MP, regarding the implementation of the Protocol in general and mechanisms for monitoring and applying relevant changes in EU law in particular. 
16.06.2021  Chamber  Ministerial Questions:  Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, answered questions on the implementation of the Protocol and negotiations with Vice-President of the European Commission on the matter. 
16.06.2021 NIAC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from Cabinet Office Minister of State, Lord Frost, and Deputy Director of the Transition Task Force Northern Ireland at Cabinet Office, Mark Davies. 
09.06.2021  ESC  Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents regarding, in particular the EU’s PEACE PLUS Programme. 
09.06.2021  NIAC  Oral Evidence:   Committee heard from Progressive Unionist Party Leader and Belfast City Councillor, Billy Hutchinson and Journalist and Author, Susan McKay.
07.06.2021 NIAC Correspondence:  Letter from Committee Chair, Simon Hoare MP, to NI Minister for the Economy, Diane Dodds MLA, regarding the implementation of the Protocol generally and mechanisms for monitoring and applying relevant changes in EU law in particular.  
26.05.2021  NIAC  Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from Progressive Unionist Party Belfast City Councillor John Kyle and CEO of Cooperation Northern Ireland, Peter Sheridan. 
26.05.2021 ESC  Report:   Report reviews recent EU documents regarding a proposal for a Network and Information Systems Directive; proposals for Council Decisions regarding forest reproductive material and checks on agricultural plants; and the EU’s Smart Mobility Strategy. 
26.05.2021 ESC Correspondence:  Letter from Sir William Cash MP to Robin Walker MP about the possible implications of new EU proposal to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay on Article 2(1) of the Protocol regarding human rights and equality. 
19.05.2021 NIAC  Oral Evidence:   Committee heard from: Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) Chairman, David Campbell CBE and LCC Members Joel Keys, Jim Wilson and Councillor Russell Watton on Brexit and the Protocol.
17.5.2021 ESC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from: Cabinet Office Minister, Lord David Frost; Northern Ireland/Ireland Unit Director at the Cabinet Office, Rebecca Ellis; and Director General of the Border at Protocol Delivery Group at the Cabinet Office, Emma Churchill. 
12.05.2021 ESC Report:   Report reviews recent EU documents including a proposed EU Directive on the protection of critical infrastructure that is of relevance to Article 9 of the Protocol.
28.4.2021 NIAC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from: Ulster Farmers' Union Hill Farming Policy Officer, Daryl McLaughlin; Nation Beef Association CEO, Neil Shand; National Sheep Association Chief Executive, Phil Stocker; and Holstein NI Field Development Officer, John Martin.
21.04.2021  ESC  Report:   Report reviews recent EU documents including the EU import licensing scheme for cultural goods of relevance to the implementation of the Protocol. 
21.4.2021 NIAC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from: HMRC Client Managing Director & Fujitsu Senior Responsible Owner for the Trader Support Service, Christian Benson; Fujitsu Head of Delivery for the Trader Support Service, Mary Scullion; and Trader Support Service Consortium Senior Member & Competere Customs and Trade Policy Lead, Shanker Singham. 
14.04.2021  ESC  Report:   Report reviews recent EU documents including those concerning the legality of timber imports and regulations concerning batteries for electric vehicles of relevance to the Protocol.
9.4.2021 ESC  Report:  Report reviews decisions taken by the UK-EU Joint Committee in December 2020, and supplementary UK and EU unilateral declarations, concerning the operation of the Protocol. Its purpose is to identify the implications of these for Northern Ireland and the UK's approach to implementing the Protocol. A UK government  was published on 6 July 2021.
30.3.2021 ESC Report:  Notes recent EU documents regarding the legality of timber imports and regulations concerning batteries for electric vehicles that are relevant to the implementation of the Protocol.
17.3.2021 NIAC Oral Evidence:  Committee heard from: Lynas Foodservice Managing Director, Andrew Lynas; Hospitality Ulster Chief Executive, Colin Neill; and Retail NI Chief Executive, Glyn Roberts. 
17.3.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents including those concerning EU regulations on market access for goods from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries of relevance to the Protocol. 
10.03.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents including those concerning EU implementation powers under the EU VAT Directive of relevance to the Protocol. 
24.2.2021  NIAC  Oral Evidence:   Committee heard from: Ulster University Business School Senior Economist, Dr Esmond Birnie; European Centre for International Political Economy Director of UK Trade Policy Project, David Henig; and Centre for European Reform Senior Research Fellow, Sam Lowe.  
10.2.2021  NIAC  Oral Evidence:   Committee heard from: Stena Line Head of UK Port Authorities; AM Nexday Business Development Manager, Sarah Hards; Allied Fleet Service Managing Director, Stephen McAneney; DFDS Northern Ireland Managing Director, Nick McCullough. 
10.02.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents including those concerning the application of EU preferential rules of origin and their implications for the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. 
03.02.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents including those concerning the application of EU tariff rate quotes and its implications for the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. 
20.01.2021 ESC Report:  Report reviews recent EU documents including those concerning batteries for electric vehicles that are relevant to the implementation of the Protocol. 
6.1.2021  NIAC  Oral Evidence:   Committee heard from: Ulster Farmers Union President, Victor Chestnutt; Northern Ireland Retail Consortium Director, Aodhán Connolly; and Logistics UK Northern Ireland Policy Manager, Seamus Leheny.  

 2020

DATECOMMITTEE ACTIVITYISSUES COVERED
5.10.2020  ESC  Oral Evidence:   Committee heard from: UK deputy representative on Joint Committee & Paymaster General, Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP; and Cabinet Office Transition Task Force Director, Brendan Threlfall. 
8.7.2020  NIAC  Report:  

Summarises findings from the Committee's inquiry into the customs arrangements for Northern Ireland under the Protocol and their implications on internal UK trade and the Northern Ireland economy. 


A UK government  to the report was published 14 Sept 2020.