matters arising
BREXIT
Protocol package could be formalised The EU Commission has suggested it is ready to produce legislation to mitigate against trade frictions between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but has urged the UK Government to engage in the process. The EU’s Brexit negotiator Maroš Šefčovič has told MEPs that he is prepared to turn a previously proposed package of solutions in to draft legislation in a bid to draw the UK back into formal negotiations to deliver workable solutions to the current impasse. Šefčovič’s address came just days after the UK’s Foreign Secretary outlined to the House of Commons her plans to bring forward a domestic bill to change the post-Brexit trade deal for Northern Ireland, claiming that it will be legal under international law.
Following the 2022 Assembly Election in May, the DUP, having already indicated its intention not to enable a fresh Executive, opted not to agree to a new Speaker, meaning the Assembly cannot sit and Executive ministers from the last mandate are now operating in a caretaker capacity, with limited powers. The party has said that it will wait to see progress on the UK Government’s plans before committing to any action. The EU Commission has constantly reiterated that it will not renegotiate the binding agreement it agreed with the UK less than two years ago, however, Šefčovič believes that the formalisation of legislative proposals put forward in October 2021, could prevent action by the UK Government and refocus negotiations.
In response, the EU said that it would “need to respond with all measures at its disposal”, if the UK was to take unilateral action.
P U B L I C A F FA I R S
O’Dowd announced as Infrastructure Minister Assembly rules mean that Sinn Féin is the next party by vote share entitled to nominate another minister. The DUP says that it will not nominate ministers for a new Executive until its demands around the removal of the Protocol are met. Under new legislation passed by the UK Government, in the event of failure to nominate, ministers may continue to serve in a reduced capacity for up to six months. Former Education Minister John O’Dowd MLA has been appointed as the new Infrastructure Minister, taking on the role in a caretaker capacity until a new Executive can be formed. Sinn Féin’s O’Dowd takes the place of Nichola Mallon, who lost her north Belfast seat in May’s Assembly election. The SDLP, which lost four seats in the Assembly, opted not to take up the option of putting forward a replacement for Mallon citing its reduced mandate.
In his first publication, Minister O’Dowd outlined a commitment to “improving the quality of life for people across the north”, but cited the challenges of delivering vital public services in the absence of an agreed budget. “Of course we know that the absence of a functioning Executive and no budget in place for this year, makes the challenge all the greater. Vital funding is locked away. New initiatives within the department cannot be undertaken,” he said.
agenda matters
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