Windsor Framework & Northern Ireland Protocol Overview

Windsor Framework + NI Protocol Windsor Framework expands on NI Protocol agreement; NI parliament remains suspended Northern Ireland Protocol (signed in 2019) The withdrawal agreement (and the Northern Ireland Protocol within it) is a legally binding international treaty which works in tandem with the FTA. Northern Ireland remains within the UK Customs Union but will abide by EU Customs Union rules - dual membership for NI. No hard border on the island of Ireland: customs border is "in the Irish Sea". Windsor Framework (signed in 2023) Green lane/Red Lane: goods from the UK for NI will travel through new green lane, with a separate red lane for goods that might travel on to the EU. Border "in the Irish Sea" effectively ended for goods destined for NI market. VAT: EU VAT rules could be applied in NI whilst the UK can make "critical VAT" changes which include NI. Concerns on food/medicines/parcels have been addressed. Stormont Brake: Agreement gives the NI Assembly (at least 30 MLAs from two parties) the ability to pull an "emergency brake" if it disagrees with an EU goods law which would have significant and lasting effects. If the brake is pulled, the UK government could veto new EU laws but an arbitration process has been established also. Goods going to NI in Green Lane Gníomhaireacht Bainistíochta an Chisteáin Náisiúnta National Treasury Management Agency Goods destined for IE/EU in Red Lane 60 60

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