26 July 2022

Northern Ireland Protocol: ‘Shameful, cynical’ UK government slammed by Irish lawyers

Dominic Carman


Dominic Carman discovers that some of Ireland’s top law firms are enraged, with ‘not one client thinking the Protocol should be scrapped’

The six counties of Northern Ireland (NI) are home to around 1.9 million UK citizens. Six years on from the Brexit vote, and two and half years after the conclusion of the Withdrawal Agreement Act by the EU Council, their political relationship with the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and the rest of the European Union (EU) remains problematic – and to a degree, unresolved.

Beyond the myriad challenges arising from a dysfunctional Stormont Assembly – no functioning government, resignations and standoffs – the heart of the problem is an impasse concerning the Northern Ireland Protocol (Protocol). During Brexit negotiations in 2019 between the UK and Irish governments and the European Commission (Commission), the Protocol emerged as an attempt to address a range of complex, sometimes competing issues relating to customs and immigration at the Irish border between the UK and the EU, and assorted trade issues between NI and the rest of the UK.

 

Related News

February 2023 News

Covid fraud: the problem with no cure

Niall Hearty, partner at Rahman Ravelli, examines the UK government’s efforts in the losing battle to recover fraudulent Covid payments

January 2023 News

The World in 2023: Themes for IFCs (Part two)

Geoff Cook, Chair of Mourant Consulting, looks at key themes that could shape 2023 for International Finance Centres

January 2023 News

The world in 2023: Themes for IFCs

Geoff Cook, Chair of Mourant Consulting, examines the issues that could shape 2023

December 2022 News

Swiss disputes set to fly

Clients are less interested in maintaining commercial relationships; they’re interested in cash.” Fuelled by litigation funding, Swiss disputes may sky-rocket.