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 scoping exercise 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 here. 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 here. 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: Veterinary Medicines Supplies	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: Deforestation and Forest Degradation Regulation	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: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Bill	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: REUL Bill	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: Veterinary Medicines Supplies	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 23 November 2022	Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including proposals for a new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and for a Single Market Emergency Instrument 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: Veterans in Northern Ireland, the Protocol, and Northern Ireland Elections.
09.11.2022	ESC	Correspondence: Deforestation and Forest Degradation Regulation	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: EU Proposal on Shipments of Waste	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 26 October 2022	Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including proposals for a new EU regulation for the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products and proposed new EU regulation on blood, tissues and cells, and their implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol.
26.10.2022	ESC	Oral Evidence: Regulating After Brexit	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: First Special Report - Revised EU Scrutiny Arrangements	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 12 October 2022	Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including those related to EU rules on seed potatoes, proposed measures on flourinated greenhouse gases, establishment of EU Single Customs Window, 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 Northern Ireland Residents: British Passports.
13.10.2022	ESC	Correspondence: EUR-Lex database on the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: EU rules on minimum VAT Rates and the EU Single Customs Window	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: Revised EU scrutiny arrangements	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: Data adequacy and the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill	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: Import of seed potatoes into the EU and Northern Ireland from GB	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 7 September	Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including proposals for new regulations on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products and on deforestation and forest degradation, 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: devolved government, the Northern Ireland Protocol, and Northern Ireland Protocol: Exceptions
06.09.2022	Chamber	Ministerial Questions: FCDO	Minister for Europe Graham Stuart answered questions from Members including on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

January to September 2022

DATE	COMMITTEE	ACTIVITY	ISSUES COVERED
22.09.2022	Chamber	Written Statement: Retained EU Law	Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Jacob Rees-Mogg made a statement to the House introducing the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.
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 Northern Ireland Protocol, the Northern Ireland Protocol: Exceptions, and Devolved Government in Northern Ireland.
06.09.2022	Chamber	Ministerial Questions: FCDO	Minister of State for Europe Graham Stuart answered questions from MPs including on: the Northern Ireland Protocol.
25.07.2022	ESC	Report: Documents considered by the Committee on 18 July	Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including the new EU veterinary medicines framework (Regulation (EU) 2019/6), the new EU regulation on fertilisers (Regulation (EU) 2019/1009) and EU law provisions related to GB-NI medicine supplies, and their implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol.
21.07.2022	ESC	Report: Retained EU Law: Where Next?	Committee report on the future of retained EU law in the UK with reference to possible implications for NI under the Protocol. UK Government Response: Published 15 November 2022
20.07.2022	Chamber	Committee Stage Debate: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill	MPs debated the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill on the third day of its Committee Stage.
19.07.2022	Chamber	Committee Stage Debate: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill	MPs debated the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill on the second day of its Committee Stage.
13.07.2022	Chamber	Committee Stage Debate: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill	MPs debated the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill on the first day of its Committee Stage.
29.06.2022	NIAC	Oral Evidence: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill	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: Northern Ireland Protocol Negotiations.
22.06.2022	ESC	Report: Documents considered by the Committee on 22nd June	Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including the EU proposal to changing Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 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: Northern Ireland Protocol.
13.06.2022	NIAC	Correspondence: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill	Correspondence from Foreign Secretary and UK Co-Chair of UK-EU Joint Committee, Liz Truss MP, regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill introduced by the government that would see elements of the Protocol disapplied in domestic law.
15.06.2022	ESC	Oral Evidence: UK's EU Representation	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: Northern Ireland Protocol	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 Northern Ireland Protocol.
18.05.2022	ESC	Oral Evidence: Retained EU Law: Where Next?	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 Queen's University Belfast, Christopher McCrudden, about the status and future of retained EU law in the UK.
17.05.2022	Chamber	Statement: Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Northern Ireland Assembly Election	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: Deforestation and Forest Degradation	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: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism	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: Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme	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: Northern Ireland Protocol	Members debated the Protocol and recent developments in talks between the UK and EU on its implementation.
28.04.2022	ESC	Correspondence: Import Controls on EU Goods	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: UK's new relationship with the EU	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: EU rules to counter economic coercion	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: Regulating After Brexit	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: Documents considered by the Committee on 30 March 2022	Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including EU's proposed new General Product Safety Regulation and its implications for Northern Ireland under the Protocol.
30.03.2022	ESC	Oral Evidence: Retained EU Law - Where Next?	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: Work of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland	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 (Session I)(Session II)	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: EU Proposal on Deforestation	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: Shipments of Waste	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: EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism	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: EU Trade Preferences for Developing Countries	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: Supply of Medicines GB-NI	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: Northern Ireland Protocol
09.03.2022	ESC	Report: Documents Considered by the Committee on 9 March 2022	Report lists recent EU documents considered by the Committee including the European Commission's Work Programme and EU measures related to the supply of medicines from GB to NI.
07.03.2022	ESC	Correspondence: Single Customs Window	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: Retained EU Law	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 the Chair to Jo Churchill MP regarding EU Proposals on shipments of waste	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 the Chair to Rt Hon. Lucy Frazer QC MP regarding EU rules on minimum VAT rates	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 the Chair to Rt Hon. Penny Mordant MP on Proposed EU anti-coercion law	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 23 February 2022	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 9 February 2022	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: Retained EU Law	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: the Protocol
09.02.2022	CPA	Report: EU Exit: UK Border post-transition	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 the Chair to Rt Hon. Greg Hands MP regarding EU proposal for a Regulation establishing a carbon border adjustment mechanism	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 the Chair to Rt Hon. Greg Hands MP regarding EU Climate Change policy	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: New Decade, New Approach	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 the Minister for Safe and Legal Migration relating to deprivation of British citzenship.	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 the Chair to the Prime Minister regarding Retained EU Law review	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: Balance of Trade with Great Britain and the EU / Engagement with Businesses: Northern Ireland Protocol Prime Minister Boris Johnson answered questions including on: the economic impact of the Protocol
26.01.2022	ESC	Correspondence: EU Single Customs Window and the Protocol	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	Appointments to the UK Delegation to the United Kingdom-European Union Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
26.01.2022	NIAC	Oral Evidence: Australia, New Zealand free trade agreements: effect on NI	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: Investment in Northern Ireland	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 Queen's University Belfast, Professor Emma Flyn, regarding investment in Northern Ireland; the discussion included consideration of the Protocol and its implications.
12.01.2022	NIAC	Oral Evidence: Investment in Northern Ireland	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 12 January 2022	Report lists recent EU documents considered not political or legally important by the Committee

2021

DATE	COMMITTEE	ACTIVITY	ISSUES COVERED
15.12.2021	Westminster Hall	Northern Ireland Protocol: Veterinary Agreement	A debate was held on 'Securing a veterinary agreement in the Northern Ireland Protocol'.
15.12.2021	ESC	Correspondence: Letter from the chair to Rt Hon. Lucy Frazer QC MP regarding Northern Ireland Protocol: Provisional agreement on minimum VAT rates	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 the Chair to Rt Hon. Lucy Frazer QC MP regarding Northern Ireland Protocol: draft Taxation Directive (update)	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 8 December 2021	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: Northern Ireland's place in the UK / Northern Ireland Protocol Negotiations / Exports to Northern Ireland: Businesses in Great Britain
08.12.2021	NIAC	Oral Evidence: UK immigration policy and the Common Travel Area	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 the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol, 30 November 2021	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 to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and to the Minister of State, relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol, 19 August 2021	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: UK-EU Trading Relationship	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 Queen's University Belfast, 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 the Chair to Lord Frost CMG regarding the establishment of the list of potential arbitrators under the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement	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 the the Chair to Rt Hon. Greg Hands MP regarding eastablishing a carbon border adjustment mechanism	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 1 December 2021	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: Northern Ireland Protocol: EU Negotiations	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: Value Added Tax (Distance Selling and Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 17 November 2021	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 Chair to Lord Benyoun regarding the configuration of the animal identification code for the tracebility of certain kept terrestrial animals in the UK in respect of Northern Ireland	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: Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Second Sitting)	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: Post-Brexit Common Frameworks	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 3 November 2021	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: Product safety in the UK and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Subsidy Control Bill (Sixth Sitting)	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: Northern Ireland Protocol: EU Negotiations / Northern Ireland Protocol: Cabinet Discussions / Leaving the EU/Northern Ireland Protocol: Haulage Industry / Northern Ireand Assembly.
25.10.2021	ESC	Oral Evidence: The UK's New Relationship with the EU	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 20 October 2021	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 22 September 2021	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 the Chair to Helen Whatley MP regarding Northern Ireland Protocol: Draft EU Energy Taxation Directive	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 the Chair to Rt Hon Michael Ellis MP regarding Protocol for an EU Directive on the resilience of critical entities	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 the Minister of State for Northern Ireland relating to Cross-border co-operation on policing, security and criminal justice after Brexit	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 Northern Ireland Protocol. This was followed by a statement from Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, also on the Protocol.
19.07.2021	ESC	Report: Documents Considered by the Committee on 19 July 2021 Sixth Report of Session 2021-22	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 the Chair Sir William Cash MP to Minister of State for Northern Ireland Robin Walker MP	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 to the Minister of State for Northern Ireland relating to Cross-border co-operation on policing, security and criminal justice after Brexit	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 of the European Commission relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 7 July 2021 Fifth Report of Session 2021-22	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: Work of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 23 June 2021 Fourth Report of Session 2021-22	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: UK’s Relationship with the EU	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 the NI Minister for the Economy, relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Northern Ireland Office	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: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 9 June 2021 Third Report of Session 2021-22	Report reviews recent EU documents regarding, in particular the EU’s PEACE PLUS Programme.
09.06.2021	NIAC	Oral Evidence: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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 to the NI Minister for the Economy relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	Committee heard from Progressive Unionist Party Belfast City Councillor John Kyle and CEO of Cooperation Northern Ireland, Peter Sheridan.
26.05.2021	ESC	Report: Documents Considered by the Committee on 26 May 2021 Second Report of Session 2021-22	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 Chair Sir William Cash MP to Minister of State for Northern Ireland Robin Walker MP	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: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: The UK's new relationship with the EU	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 12 May 2021 First Report of Session 2021-22	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: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 24 April 2021 Forty-Fourth Report of Session 2019-21	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: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 14 April 2021 Forty-Third Report of Session 2019-21	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: Northern Ireland Protocol: Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee Decisions and declarations of 17 December 2020 Forty-First Report of Session 2019–21	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 response was published on 6 July 2021.
30.3.2021	ESC	Report: Documents Considered by the Committee on 24 March 2021 Forty-Second Report of Session	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: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 17 March 2021 Fortieth Report of Session 2019-21	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 10 March 2021 Thirty-Ninth Report of Session 2019-21	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: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 10 February 2021 Thirty-seventh Report of Session 2019-21	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 3 February 2021 Thirty-fifth Report of Session 2019-21	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: Documents Considered by the Committee on 20 January 2021 Thirty-fourth Report of Session 2019-21	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: Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol	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

DATE	COMMITTEE	ACTIVITY	ISSUES COVERED
5.10.2020	ESC	Oral Evidence: UK parliamentary scrutiny of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and application of the Northern Ireland Protocol	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: Unfettered Access: Customs Arrangements in Northern Ireland after Brexit	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 response to the report was published 14 Sept 2020.

DATE

COMMITTEE

ACTIVITY

ISSUES COVERED

5.10.2020

ESC

Oral Evidence: UK parliamentary scrutiny of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and application of the Northern Ireland Protocol

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: Unfettered Access: Customs Arrangements in Northern Ireland after Brexit

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 response to the report was published 14 Sept 2020.