New Inquiry into Strengthening Northern Ireland’s Voice in the Context of the Windsor Framework

This new inquiry will take full account of the published evidence taken by the former House of Lords European Affairs Sub-Committee on the Windsor Framework in May 2024. 

The Committee will first hear from a panel of academic and legal experts: 

10:45am 

• George Peretz KC BL, Barrister at Monckton Chambers  
• Roderick Crawford, Political Analyst  
• Dr Clare Rice, Research Fellow at School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh 

The evidence session will take place in Committee Room 3, Palace of Westminster and will be available to watch on Parliament TV.   

The Committee has also launched a call for written evidence inviting individuals and organisations to submit written submissions by 5pm on Wednesday 30 April.   

Chair of the Committee, Lord Carlile said:

“I am delighted to announce this first inquiry by the Committee. It comes at a time of change in Europe and in the UK’s relationship with Europe. In this context it is crucial that Northern Ireland’s voice is heard, and its best interests protected. We therefore encourage all individuals, sectors or groups with experience and expertise in the issues under investigation to respond to our call for evidence with the full knowledge that their views have value and are welcome.  

“Over the coming weeks and months we will seek to bring fresh clarity to the complex arrangements surrounding the Windsor Framework so that opportunities to strengthen the voice of Northern Ireland can be made to businesses, stakeholders and politicians alike.” 

The Committee is inviting written submissions on the following key issues in the call for evidence:  

• The various structures and mechanisms through which Northern Ireland politicians, officials and stakeholders can engage with the Windsor Framework. 
  
  
• The extent to which these structures and mechanisms have been successful in promoting the voice of Northern Ireland at a UK and EU level.  
  
  
• The extent to which the Windsor Framework’s engagement structures enable the relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland to engage with EU legislation at an appropriate stage of the legislative process. 
  
  
• The effectiveness of mechanisms such as the Stormont Brake and the applicability motion procedure, which are designed to allow the Northern Ireland Assembly to have oversight of EU law which applies in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. 
  
  
• The role of the Northern Ireland Executive Office and the Northern Ireland Assembly. 
  
  
• The opportunities available for Northern Ireland business and civil society stakeholders to engage with the UK and/or the EU under the Windsor Framework. 
  
  
• The potential of the measures announced in ‘Safeguarding the Union’, such as Intertrade UK, the new working group with the NI Executive and the UK East-West Council to enhance Northern Ireland’s voice.  
  
  
• Progress to date in establishing the new structures announced in ‘Safeguarding the Union’.