Lords to quiz Minister on Government plans to legislate over the Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland

The Committee will question the Minister on the Government’s intention to bring forward legislation to deal with the perceived negative impact of the Protocol.

The evidence session will take place in Committee Room 4 and will be available to watch live on Parliamentlive TV.

9:15am - Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, Minister of State for Europe and North America.

Possible question topics include:

• Why the Government has announced its “intention to introduce legislation in the coming weeks to make changes to the Protocol”, and how parallel processes of legislation and talks with the EU will be pursued in practice.
• The meaning of the Government’s statement that “we need to restore the balance” in the Belfast/ Good Friday Agreement, and the steps that need to be taken in relation to the Protocol to ensure that the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly are able to function fully.
• The basis for the Government’s statement that “proceeding with the Bill is consistent with our obligations in international law”.
• The basis for the Government’s assessment that the EU’s proposals as set out in its October 2021 non-papers “would go backward from the situation we have today”.
• How the Government’s proposed “green channel” for goods from Great Britain destined for Northern Ireland, and a new dual regulatory regime in Northern Ireland will work in practice.