Analysis from Northern Ireland on the effectiveness and future of post-Brexit UK Common Frameworks

This evidence submission concentrates on the matter of the degree to which we know more about the operation of common frameworks since the publication of the 1st Report of the Common Frameworks Scrutiny Committee on 31 March 2021.In the intervening period, there has been progress made. For example, the Northern Ireland Executive – after considerable delay– signed off on the remaining 21 common frameworks. And the Joint Consultative Working Group is up and running, with weekly communication and monthly meetings which inform the UK as to amendments to EU legislation that applies to Northern Ireland under the Protocol. However, some of the problems that were identified in the Committee’s 1st Report have been compounded. We have grave concerns about communication, transparency and scrutiny when it comes to the operation of the common frameworks and the protection of the principles underpinning them.