The Windsor Framework (Democratic Scrutiny) Regulations 2024

Made: 1st February 2024

Coming into force: 2nd February 2024

In accordance with paragraph 8F(1) of Schedule 7[^f00003] to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, a draft of this instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

Citation, commencement and extent

1

• (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Windsor Framework (Democratic Scrutiny) Regulations 2024.

• (2) They come into force on the day after the day on which they are made.

• (3) They extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998: Democratic Scrutiny

2

• (1) Part 5A of the Northern Ireland Act 1998[^f00004] (EU Withdrawal: Democratic Consent Process) is amended as follows.

• (2) In the title of Part 5A, for “Democratic Consent Process” substitute “Democratic Consent and Scrutiny”.

• (3) After section 56A (Democratic consent process) insert—

(56B) Schedule 6B (EU Withdrawal: Windsor Framework democratic scrutiny) has effect.

• (4) After Schedule 6A (EU Withdrawal: democratic consent process), insert Schedule 6B set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.

SCHEDULE

Signed

Chris Heaton-Harris — Secretary of State — Northern Ireland Office — 1st February 2024

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations insert a new Schedule into the Northern Ireland Act 1998 which implements those aspects of the Windsor Framework relating to the involvement of the institutions of the 1998 Agreement (the Belfast Agreement). Details of the Windsor Framework and the associated Unilateral Declaration of the United Kingdom on the involvement of the institutions of the 1998 Agreement are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-windsor-framework or from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument. An explanatory memorandum has been published alongside this instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 2018 c. 16; section 8C was inserted by section 21 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (c. 1) and paragraph 21 was amended by paragraphs 38 and 53 of Schedule 5 to that Act.

[^f00002]: 2020 c. 27.

[^f00003]: Paragraph 8F of Schedule 7 was inserted by paragraph 51 of Schedule 5 to the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 c. 1.

[^f00004]: 1998 c. 47; part 5A was inserted by S.I. 2020/1500. There have been other amendments to the Act which are not relevant to these Regulations.

[^f00005]: The unilateral declaration is annexed to the draft decision of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on laying down arrangements relating to the Windsor Framework. That document also includes the proposed amendments to the Northern Ireland Protocol, itself annexed to the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. The Windsor Framework documents can be found at The Windsor Framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or are available in hard copy from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH.

[^f00006]: “Minister” is defined in section 7(3).

[^f00007]: “Cross-community support” is defined in section 4(5).