Correspondence

Notification under Schedule 6A NI Act 1998

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has given notification of the start of the democratic consent process on Articles 5-10 Windsor Framework.

• From: Northern Ireland Office and The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP
• Published: 31 October 2024

Applies to Northern Ireland

Documents

Notification under Schedule 6A NI Act 1998

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Details

Letter from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the First and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, beginning the democratic consent process on Articles 5-10 Windsor Framework in accordance with Schedule 6A NI Act 1998.

Dear Edwin,

NOTIFICATION UNDER SCHEDULE 6A NORTHERN IRELAND ACT 1998

Under Schedule 6A of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, it is my duty as Secretary of State to give notification of the start of the democratic consent process, as referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the declaration by His Majesty’s Government concerning the operation of the ‘Democratic consent in Northern Ireland’ provision of the Windsor Framework made on 17 October 2019.

This notification marks the day immediately before the start of the final two months of the current continuation period. The first day of the new continuation period will be 1 January 2025. Before that date, this Government must notify the European Commission of the outcome of the democratic consent process established by Schedule 6A in relation to the continued application of Articles 5 to 10 of the Framework during the new continuation period.

I can confirm that for this upcoming democratic consent process, the default democratic consent process will apply, as set out in Part 3 of Schedule 6A.

Schedule 6A prescribes the text of the motion to be tabled, and has remained unamended since December 2020 such that it refers to the former Northern Ireland Protocol. As you will know, the arrangements laying down the Windsor Framework at the UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee included agreement that references to the ‘the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland’ (such as that prescribed in the motion) will be read by the Government to mean the Windsor Framework. I would be grateful if this could be put to Assembly Members should there be doubt as to the validity of a motion.

I am copying this letter to the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill & Emma Little-Pengelly.

THE RT HON HILARY BENN MP

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

Published 31 October 2024