Windsor Framework: Stormont brake will be veto not delay of EU law in Northern Ireland, minister confirms | Politics News
The Northern Ireland secretary has confirmed the “Stormont brake” revealed in the new Brexit deal will be a veto, not just a delay.
Earlier this week, Rishi Sunak announced a new agreement with the EU overcome trade barriers in Northern Ireland which he called a “decisive breakthrough”.
As part of the Windsor Framework, a “Stormont brake system” will be introduced as Northern Ireland Council can suspend the application of changes to EU goods law in the country.
The UK government could then have the veto power to suspend the law in Northern Ireland permanently.
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But there have been questions about whether that would slow the law’s effect.
However, Northern Ireland Minister Chris Heaton-Harris has now confirmed this will be an outright veto.
He told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge Sunday program: “It’s a veto.
“When concerns are raised, that’s when the delay kicks in and when it’s gone through the full process, that’s when the UK government can veto it.”
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The EU said the measure could only be used as a last resort amid fears the UK would try to veto less important legislation.
But Mr Heaton-Harris said: “I think if it had a significant effect on Northern Ireland we would veto EU law.
“You can’t trivially use a veto but I don’t think the Northern Irish Parliament would actually use that trivially.”
All sides of Stormont will receive briefings from government officials over the next week on how the brakes work.
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How will the NI deal affect the economy?
‘I don’t want any deal to replace a problem with a problem’
Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill said she had some concerns about the mechanism causing more problems but expressed “cautious welcome” to the framework as a whole.
She also said it was time for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to show “leadership” and agree to restore power sharing when considering the deal – a year after the party refused to form a political party. government to oppose the original Brexit deal.
Ms O’Neill, the first appointed Minister, told Sky News: “They should be back at the executive desk, taking on the affairs of the day.
“And then, yes, let’s discuss all the details of this in the deal because I also have some concerns, especially about the Stormont brake issue and what it looks like and it can be used, because I certainly don’t want any agreement to replace a problem with a problem.
“But these are the things we can do while we’re on the board.”
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NI welcomes ‘cautious’ framework
NI can participate in UK commercial transactions
Mr Heaton-Harris said he could ensure Northern Ireland would be able to fully participate in the UK’s future trade deals once the Windsor Framework is finalized.
Asked if he could guarantee it, he said: “Yes we can and we are currently only about 3% of what current EU law will apply after this. accepted.
“That’s the bare minimum needed to allow Northern Irish businesses access to the single European market at this time.”
When asked if he would regret his words in the future, he added: “I really don’t worry about it.”
MPs still have to vote on the deal, including the DUP, but Mr Heaton-Harris said he believes the framework means the executive will now “get up and running”.
Last week, the government passed legislation allowing Northern Ireland’s ministers to call an election in the country next year.
But Mr Heaton-Harris declined to give a timeframe he would call an election if Stormont fails to return.
“I’ve learned from previous lessons in Northern Ireland that you don’t set a timeframe and even if you had one in mind, you’d never make it public,” he said.
