NI Brexit Issues – Brexit

Border Issues

Special Northern Ireland Issues in Negotiation The matter of the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland is complex and ambiguous. After Brexit, the internal Irish land border will be the EU-UK land border. The ultimate nature of this border will depend on the agreement, if any, reached between the UK and the EU and the […]

Northern Ireland’s Status

Northern Ireland and Devolution Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have been separate legal jurisdictions since May 1921. Northern Ireland has also remained a separate jurisdiction from the rest of the United Kingdom under the Stormont Parliament 1921 to 1972, the direct rule periods (1972-1999) and the Northern Ireland Assembly period interspersed with suspensions […]

The CTA Background

The Common Travel Area The Common Travel Area did not formally involve aligned immigration rules. However, it involved sufficient alignment and continuing cooperation between the immigration authorities of Ireland and the UK. The CTA was largely subsumed under the common EU freedom of movement rights when both joined the EEC in 1973. However, it did […]

UK Proposals on NI (August 2017)

Context In August 2017, the UK published a position paper on various issues in relation to the Brexit negotiations and in particular the issue of border arrangements within the island of Ireland. It emphasised the UK’s ambition to develop a new deep and special partnership with the EU and the implications which this has for […]

EU -UK Joint Report [Dec 2017]

Context 8 December 2017 TF50 (2017) 19 – Commission to EU 27 Joint report from the negotiators of the European Union and the United Kingdom Government on progress during phase 1 of negotiations under Article 50 TEU on the United Kingdom’s orderly withdrawal from the European Union. Origin: Presented jointly by the negotiators of the European Union and the […]

Protocol on NI (Mar 2018 Draft)

Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Negotiations on the border have continued to be separated from other withdrawal issues. In June 2017 when formal negotiations began, talks on the border were separated into a ‘dialogue.’ The December Joint Report also ‘fudged’ the issue. Instead of proposing one solution, it set out three scenarios. The first, and the […]

Withdrawal Agreement Negotiations

December 2017 Agreement in Principle A Joint report was concluded in December 2017 following the first stage of negotiations between the EU and UK. Both parties reaffirmed in the joint report, their commitment to peace, stability and reconciliation and for that purpose to the protection of the Good Friday Agreement including the practical application of […]

Irish (RoI) Citizenship

Irish Citizenship I Citizenship grants the most extensive rights to be in the State and enjoy the benefits of its laws and protection. Nationals and naturalised residents are citizens. A wide range of persons potentially qualify for Irish citizenship. In some cases, qualification is automatic, while in others, the Minister for Justice has an element […]

EU Smart Border Study

Northern Ireland [Irish Senate Report]

Background Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement have been recognised in the Guidelines adopted by the European Council: “The Union has consistently supported the goal of peace and reconciliation enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, and continuing to support and protect the achievements, benefits and commitments of the Peace Process will remain […]

ERG (Conservative Backbench Group) NI Report

The Border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland post-Brexit 12th September 2018 Disclaimer: This document is not endorsed by any ERG member who is subject to Government collective responsibility. Executive Summary The issue ofthe border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been allowed to frame the Brexit negotiations. Both the UK and […]

UK Temporary Customs Arrangement Note [June 2018]

TECHNICAL NOTE: TEMPORARY CUSTOMS ARRANGEMENT 1. When the UK leaves the EU, it will also leave the EU Customs Union. During the Implementation Period, the UK will continue to apply the same rules as the EU, meaning that access to each other’s markets will continue on current terms. The UK is committed to securing a new future customs […]

North-South Mapping Exercise (UK Report)

TECHNICAL EXPLANATORY NOTE: NORTH-SOUTH COOPERATION MAPPING EXERCISE This technical note provides a UK commentary on the North-South cooperation mapping exercise carried out during Phase 1 of the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The list of areas of cooperation attached at Annex A reflects discussions between the UK, EU and Ireland, but this explanatory […]

UK “Alternative” Backstop Oct 2019

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UK Commons Committee NI Trade Issues

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UK Commons Committee NI Border

UK Commons Committee NI Fisheries

UK Commons Committee NI Backstop

EU Study Consequences NI

EU Study Smart Borders

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EU Study NI Cohesion Policy

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A Look at the Backstop

Background Common membership of the European Union facilitates easy and frictionless trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland and Ireland and Great Britain. For most practical purposes, goods and services can be bought and sold between EU states, as if the buyer and seller were in a single country. The European Union effectively acts as a […]

Temporary NI Trading Measures

EU Exit: Avoiding a hard border in Northern Ireland in a no deal scenario The government has set out its approach to avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March. Published 13 March 2019 Last updated 14 March 2019 — see all updates […]

NI Trade No Deal

EU Exit: Avoiding a hard border in Northern Ireland in a no deal scenario The government has set out its approach to avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March. Published 13 March 2019 Contents Compliance with international legal obligations Protecting the […]

UK Lords Committee UK Irish Relations

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UK Backstop Reassurances for NI [Jan 2018]

UK GOVERNMENT COMMITMENTS TO NI AND ITS INTEGRAL PLACE IN THE UK 9 January 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. This Government has made clear on many occasions that we will never be neutral in expressing our support for the Union. Our steadfast belief is that Northern Ireland’s future is best served within a stronger United Kingdom. And as […]

UK Lords Note UK Ireland Relations

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UK Lords Note Belfast Agreement Impact

Trade with Ireland UK Parilament

Irish Border Negotiations UK Parliament

Avoiding a hard border in Northern Ireland in a no deal scenario

The government has set out its approach to avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Published 13 March 2019 Last updated 2 April 2019 — see all updates From: Cabinet Office, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland Office, and HM Revenue […]