Context: 

The Windsor framework is the latest attempt at a remedy to the political complexities that have impacted trade and sentiments in the UK and Northern Ireland.

About the news:

• The UK government under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reached a landmark deal with the European Union (EU) on post-Brexit trade rules that will govern Northern Ireland.
• The ‘Windsor Framework’ will replace the Northern Ireland Protocol, which had proved to be among the thorniest of Brexit fall-outs, creating problems both economic and political.

About Northern Ireland Protocol:

• The Northern Ireland Protocol is a part of the Brexit agreement between the UK and the EU.
• It addresses the issue of the land border between Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland, which is an EU member state.
• The Protocol seeks to prevent the re-emergence of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which could potentially undermine the peace process established by the Good Friday Agreement. 
• Under the Protocol, goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) are subject to customs and regulatory checks at ports and airports to ensure they meet EU standards. 
• The UK and the EU have been in a dispute over the implementation of the Protocol, with the UK government seeking to make changes to address concerns raised by businesses and unionists in Northern Ireland.

What the Windsor Framework proposes?

• The framework has two crucial aspects:
  •  Introduction of a green lane and red lane system for goods that will stay in Northern Ireland and those that will go to the EU respectively; 
  • ‘Stormont Brake’: It allows Northern Ireland lawmakers and London to veto any EU regulation they believe affects the region adversely.

• The two lanes
  1. British goods meant for Northern Ireland will use the green lane at the ports, and will be allowed to pass with minimal paperwork and checks. 
  2. Physical checks will be conducted if the goods are deemed suspicious, in place of the routine checks now.
  3. Goods destined for Ireland or the rest of the EU will have to take the red lane, with the attendant customs and other checks.

What is Stormont Brake?

• The new Stormont Brake means the democratically elected Northern Ireland Assembly can oppose new EU goods rules that would have significant and lasting effects on everyday lives in Northern Ireland. 
• For this, they will need the support of 30 members from at least two parties. The British government can then veto the law.

News  Source: The Indian Express 

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