The Northern Ireland Protocol, a crucial aspect of the Brexit agreement, has been declared lawful by the UK’s Supreme Court. The ruling was made following a legal challenge brought forth by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), who argued that the protocol breached Northern Ireland’s constitutional status.
The protocol, which came into effect in January 2021, was put in place to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland by keeping Northern Ireland in the EU’s single market for goods. This has resulted in extra checks on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court declared that the protocol did not infringe on the Good Friday Agreement or the Belfast Agreement, both of which outline the peace process in Northern Ireland. The court stated that the protocol was a necessary and proportionate means of protecting the peace process and the Northern Ireland economy.
Despite this ruling, tensions remain high surrounding the protocol, with many unionists in Northern Ireland feeling that it creates a “border in the Irish Sea.” The protocol has been met with criticism from some sectors, including the food and retail industries, which have faced difficulties with new customs and regulatory checks.
However, the protocol has been defended by the UK government, which argues that it is the only way to preserve the open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which was established as part of the Good Friday Agreement. They claim that it has allowed for the continued flow of goods and services between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
The ruling by the Supreme Court is a significant one, providing clarity on the legality of the protocol and putting to rest some of the uncertainty surrounding its future. The protocol remains a contentious issue in Northern Ireland, but with the court’s declaration, it is clear that it will remain a key aspect of the Brexit agreement for the foreseeable future.
Saturday, September 7, 2024