Governance for 'a place between': the multilevel dynamics of implementing the Protocol on Northern Ireland
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen's University Belfast
Department Name: Sch of Hist, Anthrop, Philos & Politics
Abstract
Brexit means that Northern Ireland (NI) is located at the interface of the UK and the EU. This is not just in geographical terms; the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) and its Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland place NI in a position of being outside the EU but subject to EU rules. This small region, although formally outside the EU, will actually be partly in the EU governance system - and in a way never seen before by any other region or state.
The WA and Protocol thus raise enormously significant challenges for policy-making and for governance in and of NI, as well as for the UK and the EU. It also raises big questions about legitimacy. The Protocol is contested by all sides in NI and devolved government in NI remains fragile (Brexit being still a divisive subject). Uncertainty is worsened by the fact that the democratic consent mechanism in the Protocol means that a vote by members of the NI Assembly (from as early as November 2024) could result in core elements of the Protocol being dropped.
Implementing the Protocol will give rise to a new form of what we define as 'perched' multilevel governance for NI. Given the evolving nature of the post-Brexit UK-EU relationship and UK trade policy (which will affect the impact of the Protocol in real terms in NI), these dynamic arrangements need to be mapped and tracked. This project will do this, as well as explaining the implications and identifying problems. It will also create the means by which informed key stakeholders can together find solutions to those problems.
This ambitious project will make a weighty contribution to scholarship on multilevel governance, but it will also test a hypothesis about ways to improve legitimacy through problem-solving. In addition, it will produce original and comparative qualitative and quantitative data to inform policymakers at all levels of governance affecting NI. This research and case study has major importance for the quality of post-Brexit governance across the whole UK.
The WA and Protocol thus raise enormously significant challenges for policy-making and for governance in and of NI, as well as for the UK and the EU. It also raises big questions about legitimacy. The Protocol is contested by all sides in NI and devolved government in NI remains fragile (Brexit being still a divisive subject). Uncertainty is worsened by the fact that the democratic consent mechanism in the Protocol means that a vote by members of the NI Assembly (from as early as November 2024) could result in core elements of the Protocol being dropped.
Implementing the Protocol will give rise to a new form of what we define as 'perched' multilevel governance for NI. Given the evolving nature of the post-Brexit UK-EU relationship and UK trade policy (which will affect the impact of the Protocol in real terms in NI), these dynamic arrangements need to be mapped and tracked. This project will do this, as well as explaining the implications and identifying problems. It will also create the means by which informed key stakeholders can together find solutions to those problems.
This ambitious project will make a weighty contribution to scholarship on multilevel governance, but it will also test a hypothesis about ways to improve legitimacy through problem-solving. In addition, it will produce original and comparative qualitative and quantitative data to inform policymakers at all levels of governance affecting NI. This research and case study has major importance for the quality of post-Brexit governance across the whole UK.
Organisations
Publications
Araujo B
(2024)
Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Silos and symbiosis
in Common Market Law Review
Araujo, B.M.
(2022)
Judicial Review And The Protocol On Ireland/Northern Ireland
Brown Swan C
(2024)
Westminster Rules? The United Kingdom Internal Market Act and Devolution
Hayward K
(2025)
Brexit and Northern Ireland
Hayward, K.H
(2023)
A Brief NI Guide To Brexit, The Protocol And The Windsor Framework
Hayward, K.H
(2024)
Q and A on the Democratic Consent Vote 2024
Melo Araujo B
(2022)
A CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF ARTICLE 16 OF THE IRELAND-NORTHERN IRELAND PROTOCOL
in International and Comparative Law Quarterly
Melo-Araujo, B.
(2021)
Trade in Goods under the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: an explainer
Phinnemore D
(2022)
The United Kingdom: Turning its Back on Influencing the EU?
in JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies
| Description | The project has identified and explained the consequences of the post-Brexit arrangements established for Northern Ireland by the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland annexed to the Withdrawal Agreement (2020) governing the departure of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) and subsequently adapted through the Windsor Framework (2023). It has established an historical record of the decisions and courses of action taken during the first four years of the implementation of the Protocol (2021-24) at key levels of governance affecting Northern Ireland. This has included: establishing the regulatory scope of the Protocol and monitoring the process of post-Brexit dynamic regulatory alignment with EU; establishing the regulatory complexity of post-Brexit Northern Ireland; mapping the institutional framework for the implementation of Protocol and assessing its operation; analysing the often challenging and politically charged status of the Protocol's implementation in the post-Brexit UK-EU relationship; assessing how developments have been managed and challenges addressed, notably through the Windsor Framework; and assessing institutional innovations such as the Stormont Brake. The project has increased understanding of the Protocol and its implications, including among the public, media, policy makers and stakeholders. This has been achieved through regular briefings, explainers, published analysis and media engagement. The project has produced data on public attitudes in Northern Ireland towards the Protocol and its implications in and for Northern Ireland as well as the Windsor Framework. Regular polling has allowed trends in public opinion to be established and assessed and priority concerns to be identified. It has also provided opportunities to test views onpotential solutions to address challenges with and arising from the Protocol and its implementation. The project has also assessed the position of the Protocol/Windsor Framework in the wider context of the UK's at times strained yet also evolving post-Brexit relationship with the EU. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes can inform the development and operation of governance arrangements for the management of: the continued implementation of the Protocol/Windsor Framework, the domestic implications of Brexit for the UK, post-Brexit UK-EU relations, and the operation and develoment of the institutional arrangements resulting from the 199 Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. |
| Sectors | Government Democracy and Justice Other |
| URL | https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ |
| Description | Findings have been used by UK government, EU and EU member state officials, politicians and stakeholders to inform their positions in response to the challenges with the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and the operation of arrangements as they evolved, notably through the adoption of the Windsor Framework in 2023. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Government, Democracy and Justice,Other |
| Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | Enabling Northern Ireland's civic voice to be heard in the implementation of the Windsor Framework |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | New mechanisms for UK-EU engagement with stakeholders across NI civic society in areas affected both directly and indirectly by the Windsor Framework (formerly the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland) |
| Description | Informing UK Government Policy on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1008... |
| Description | Stakeholder Engagement on the Protocol/Windsor Framework |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Mapping Post EU Exit Regulatory Divergence in Northern Ireland |
| Amount | £46,856 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2024 |
| End | 04/2024 |
| Title | Post-Brexit Governance NI - Testing the Temperature Opinion Polling (2021-2024) and Stakeholder Workshop Reports (2021-2024) |
| Description | 17 explainer reports on different aspects of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and/or developments in the process of its implementation Datasets for 13 opinion polls on public attitudes to the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland and related issues carried out as part of the research project. Reports for 13 opinion polls on public attitudes to the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland and related issues carried out as part of the research project. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Findings from polling were regularly briefed to senior officials in, most notably, the UK Government, European Commission , Irish Government, European Parliament, Northern Ireland Executive with officials acknowledging the value of the findings. |
| Description | Article 2 of the Windsor Framework: Unpacking Law and Policy Challenges |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The event brought together leading legal scholars, practitioners, and political scientists to take stock of recent developments in WF Article 2 case law as well as examining the broader implications of the provision in relation to issues such as environmental rights, frontier workers, social rights, and immigration policy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofLaw/research/law-lab/Article2WindsorFrameworkConferenceUnpacki... |
| Description | Blogposts |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Hayward, K. 'Brexit and Northern Ireland', in UK in a Changing Europe, The Brexit Files: From Referendum to Reset, January 2025 Phinnemore, D. 'The Windsor Framework and the 2024 democratic consent process', UK in a Changing Europe, 4 November 2024 Phinnemore, D. 'The Protocol/Windsor Framework and the 2024 Democratic Consent Vote', Pivotal Platform, 4 September 2024 Phinnemore, D. 'Implementing the Protocol and Windsor Framework', in Davies, C. and Kassim, H. (eds) UK-EU: What Next, July 2024 Whitten, L. C. 'A veterinary agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary goods', in Davies, C. and Kassim, H. (eds) UK-EU: What Next, July 2024 Phinnemore, D. 'The Protocol/Windsor Framework: Getting Stormont Heard', DCU Brexit Institute Blog, 16 April 2024 Phinnemore, D. 'The Windsor Framework: Stormont being heard and what next?', UK in a Changing Europe, 25 March 2024 Hayward, K. 'Why did the Windsor Framework fail to restore government in Northern Ireland?', Encompass, November 2023 Phinnemore, D. and Whitten, L.C. 'Explainer: Implementing the Windsor Framework', UK in a Changing Europe, 3 October 2023 Hayward, K. A Brief NI Guide to Brexit, the Protocol and the Windsor Framework, Queen's University Belfast, August Phinnemore, D. and Whitten, L.C. 'The Windsor Framework: How Green is the 'Green Lane'?', Belfast News Letter, 11 August 2023 (also available via QPOL) Whitten, L.C. 'Northern Ireland and its (other) constitutional issues', The Constitution Society, 1 August Phinnemore, D. 'Where Northern Ireland Voters Generally Agree: Stakeholder Engagement on the Protocol/Windsor Framework', UK in a Changing Europe, 26 July 2023 Hayward, K. 'Will the Windsor Framework work?', Fortnight, July 2023 Phinnemore, D., Hayward, K. and Whitten, L.C. 'The Windsor Framework - Written Evidence', submitted to the House of Lords European Affairs Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, 2 May 2023 Gravey, V., Melo Araujo, B. and Whitten, L.C. 'Windsor Framework Inquiry - Written Evidence', submitted to the House of Lords European Affairs Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, May 2023 Hayward, K. 'The draft Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Regulations 2023. An initial analysis', submitted to the House of Lords European Affairs Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, 21 March 2023 Hayward, K. and Phinnemore D. 'How will a UK-EU deal land in Northern Ireland?' UK in a Changing Europe, 24 February 2023 Whitten, L. C. 'On orthodoxy and unanswered questions: the Allister ruling and why it matters', The Constitution Society, 21 February 2023 Hayward. K. and Phinnemore, D. 'Future Proofing a UK-EU deal for Northern Ireland begins here and now', UK in a Changing Europe, 26 January 2023 Hayward, K. 'Northern Ireland Protocol Bill - not enough and far too much?', UK in a Changing Europe, 11 October 2022 Hayward, K. 'Northern Ireland - The Protocol and the Peril', Political Insight, September 2022 Hayward, K. 'Northern Ireland - is another election just around the corner?', UK in a Changing Europe, 2 August 2022 Whitten, L. C. 'Northern Ireland: A pawn in the new waiting game', Centre for Constitutional Change, 17 June 2022 Hayward, K. 'The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill: "by necessity"', UK in a Changing Europe, 15 June 2022 Melo Araujo, B. 'Northern Ireland protocol explainer: Why the UK government's plan to change it violates international law', The Conversation, 14 June 2022 Phinnemore, D. 'Where next with the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland?', Encompass, May 2022 Hayward, K. 'The constraints and consequences of Protocol tactics', UK in a Changing Europe, 15 May 2022 Hayward, K. and Phinnemore D. 'What do people in Northern Ireland really think about the Protocol?', Heinrich Böll Stiftung, 10 May 2022 Phinnemore, D. and Hayward, K. 'What does the Northern Irish public think about the Protocol?' UK in a Changing Europe, 5 May 2022 Whitten, L. 'Northern Ireland: a constitutional exception and why it matters', The Constitution Society, 22 September 2021 Melo Araujo, B. 'Northern Ireland protocol: here's what a compromise between EU and UK could look like', The Conversation, 29 July 2021 Hayward, K. 'Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and the new command paper', UK in a Changing Europe, 26 July 2021 Hayward, K. 'Irish sea border: trust is the biggest problem for the Northern Ireland protocol', The Conversation, 12 July 2021 Phinnemore, D. 'The Northern Ireland Protocol and its implementation', Encompass, July 2021 Melo Araujo, B. 'Why are British sausages being blocked from entry into Northern Ireland? The dispute explained', The Conversation, 11 June 2021 Phinnemore, D. and Hayward, K. 'Brexit and the Future of Northern Ireland', Institut Montaigne, 12 May 2021 Hayward, K. and Phinnemore, D. 'Northern Ireland voters and the Protocol', UK in a Changing Europe, 23 April 2021 Hayward, K. et al 'The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland', UK in a Changing Europe, 8 April 2021 Phinnemore, D. 'Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: act jointly one day, unilaterally the next', UK in a Changing Europe, 5 March 2021 Hayward, K. 'Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol: the EU must play the long-game', LSE Brexit Blog, 4 March 2021 Whitten, L. 'The Politics of the Northern Ireland Protocol', UK in a Changing Europe, 9 February 2021 Hayward, K. and Phinnemore, D. 'Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol: Article 16', AgendaNI, February 2021 Melo Araujo, B. 'Brexit trade problems: what's gone wrong and can it be fixed?', The Conversation, 14 January 2021 Hayward, K. and Phinnemore, D. 'Article 16 of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol offers no 'quick fix', LSE Brexit Blog, 11 January 2021 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| URL | https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ProjectPublications/ |
| Description | Briefing for Deutsche Sektion der Internationalen Juristen-Kommission |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Briefing on Post-Brexit Northern Ireland for senior German judges including current and former members of the Federal Constitutional Court. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Briefing for Oireachtas - Joint Committee on European Union Affairs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Briefing on research findings to members of the Oireachtas - Joint Committee on European Union Affairs |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/joint_committee_on_european_union_affairs/2022-11-09/2/ |
| Description | Briefing for Oireachtas - Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Briefing on project and research findings to members of the Oireachtas - Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Community Engagement - Workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Half-day and 2-hour workshops/seminars on explaining the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Events held in Ballymoney, Belfast, Cookstown, Derry/Londonderry (x3), Lurgan (x2) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | Differentiated External Integration - The Protocol on Ireland-Northern Ireland in EU-UK Relations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Compact Seminar for Postgraduate Students at the College of Europe (Bruges) - Attendees included UK Civil Servants on Scholarships to the College of Europe |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | EP Committee Delegation Visits to Northern Ireland - Briefings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Briefing on key latest project findings to delegations of MEPs from the International Trade (INTA) and Foreign Affairs (AFET) Committees during visits to Northern Ireland https://www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/292176/Mission%20report%20UK.pdf https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/INTA-CR-755003_EN.pdf |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/INTA-CR-755003_EN.pdf |
| Description | Engagement with Westminster politicians |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing engagement with selected MPs and members of the House of Lords regarding project activities and outputs |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | Engagement with officials from EU member states, the European Commission, the Irish government, the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK government |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Regular, ongoing presentation of project findings, notably around stakeholder workshops and opinion polling, to officials engaged in the management of the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. Discussion provide feedback on the project, promote discussion around findings and potential solutions to issues raised. Engagement also includes hosting and attending informal dinner discussions as well as discussions with stakeholders. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | Engagement with political parties in Northern Ireland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Regular briefings on analysis of opinion polling and updates on project activities |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | European Affairs Committee - Windsor Framework Sub-Committee - Evidence |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Oral evidence session on Nrthern Ireland's voice in the implemententation of the Windsor Framework |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/14838/pdf/ |
| Description | European Parliament Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly - Briefings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In person and online briefings to MEPs on key project findings relating to Windsor Framework (2023) and its implementation. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/delegations/d-uk/ordre_du_jour/2024/02-22/D-UK_OJ(2024)02-22_XL.pdf https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/delegations/d-uk/ordre_du_jour/2023/03-23/D-UK_OJ(2023)03-23_XL.pdf |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024 |
| URL | https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/delegations/d-uk/ordre_du_jour/2023/03-23/D-UK_OJ(2023)03-23_... |
| Description | European Policy Centre - UK-EU Track 2 Contributions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of research project findings as part of invitation only off-the-record discussions among UK and EU policymakers/officials and other practitioner and academic experts |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Evidence Session - Scottish Parliament's Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Evidence provided to Scottish Parliament's Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/constitution-europe-external-affairs-and-cultur... |
| Description | Expert Adviser - European Economic and Social Committee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Team member advised on the Protocol dimension to the work of the European Economic and Social Committee's EU-UK Follow-up Committee in the production of its opinion and report on The implementation of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland (January 2023). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
| URL | https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/information-reports/implementati... |
| Description | ITV Peston - Coverage of Polling |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | ITV's Peston programme on 22 February 2023 featured polling from the project and named the PI and a CI 'nerds of the week' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/itvpeston/status/1629138306498801664? |
| Description | Independent Commission on UK-EU Relations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Facilitated workshops with Northern Ireland stakeholders on implications and challenges of implementation of Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Masterclasses for members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | PSNI Masterclass introducing Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and findings from the project |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Media Engagement - International |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing media engagement through interviews for newspapers and for radio and television, particularly around developments in the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and the findings of opinion polling carried out for the project. Occasional Media Briefing event organized via UK in a Changing Europe Print media - international, inlcuding: De Tijd, Globe and Mail, Handelsblatt, Irish Times, Le Monde, Les Echos, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Polish Press Agency, Politico, Tagesspiegel, Salzburger Nachrichten Broadcast Media - Radio, inlcuding: ABC (Sydney), Deutsche Welle, ORF, RTE, Swedish Radio, Here and Now Radio (US) Broadcast Media - TV, inlcuding: CGTN, Deutsche Welle, TRT, ZDF, TF1 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
| Description | Media Engagement - National |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing media engagement through interviews for newspapers and for radio and television, particularly around developments in the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and the findings of opinion polling carried out for the project. Print media - national/international: Financial Times, The Guardian Broadcast Media - Television: BBC News Channel, 5 News, BBC1, BBC2 Broadcast Media - Radio: BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 4; LBC |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
| Description | Media Engagement - Regional |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing media engagement through interviews for newspapers and for radio and television, particularly around developments in the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and the findings of opinion polling carried out for the project. Print media - local/regional: Belfast Telegraph, Irish News, Newsletter, Scottish Herald Broadcast Media - TV: BBC Ulster, UTV Broadcast Media - Radio: BBC Radio Foyle, BBC Radio Ulster, RTE, BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio Wales |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
| Description | Newspaper Articles |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Phinnemore, D. and Whitten, L.C. 'The Windsor Framework: How Green is the 'Green Lane'?', Belfast News Letter, 11 August 2023 (also available via QPOL) Hayward, K. and Phinnemore D. 'Will the DUP sink a new attempt at stability in Northern Ireland?', Prospect, 22 February 2023 Whitten, L. C. 'In search of a landing zone for the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland', Fortnight Magazine, 30 June 2022 Hayward, K. and Phinnemore, D. 'Do you understand the Protocol, and does it really matter anyway?', Belfast Telegraph, 24 February 2022 Hayward, K. and Phinnemore, D. 'Polling on the protocol: Westminster is a long way from Northern Ireland', New Statesman, 2 December 2021 Phinnemore, D. and Hayward, K. 'Northern Ireland's voice on the protocol needs to be heard', Irish Times, 5 September 2021 Phinnemore, D. 'The Northern Ireland protocol isn't perfect - but the UK and EU can make it work', The Guardian, 14 June 2021 Phinnemore, D. and Hayward, K. 'Crisis of confidence: Government has a lot to do to win back our trust', Belfast Telegraph, 21 April 2021 Hayward, K. and Phinnemore, D. 'People across Northern Ireland fear that the protocol will damage political stability', The Guardian, 21 April 2021 Hayward, K. 'Who's responsible for the violence in Northern Ireland?', Politico, 9 April 2021 Phinnemore, D. 'Brexit is increasing tension in Northern Ireland, but the protocol is the only way', The Guardian, 4 February 2021 Hayward, K. and Phinnemore, D. 'Why Article 16 is no magic bullet to fix the Irish Sea border', Belfast Telegraph, 14 January 2021 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
| URL | https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ProjectPublications/ |
| Description | Northern Ireland Affairs Committee - Private Briefing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Informal briefing of the new Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (House of Commons) on project and its key findings relating regulatory alignment |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group - Analysis |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Two team members participate in meetings of the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group to offer analysis on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland / Windsor Framework based on analysis and findings from the project; participation includes attendance at in camera meetings with officials from UK government, the EU, the Irish government and the Northern Ireland Exeutive where insights and analysis from the project are often shared. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | Northern Ireland Civic Working Group - Analysis |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Two team members participate in meetings of the Northern Ireland Civic Working Group to offer analysis on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland / Windsor Framework based on analysis and findings from the project; participation includes attendance at in camera meetings with officials from UK government, the EU, and the Irish government where insights and analysis from the project are often shared. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024,2025 |
| Description | Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee - Private Briefing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Private briefing of the new Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee (House of Lords) on project and its key findings relating to the implementation of the Windsor Framework, public opinion and regulatory alignment |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | One year on: what next for the Northern Ireland Protocol (28 February 2022) - Institute for Government |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The event, hosted by the Institute for Government, featured a panel discussion broadcast live (with recording posted online) followed by a closed discussion with a group of invited policy-makers, politicians, policy experts. The event addressed questions such as: What lessons are there from the protocol's first year? Why does the protocol continue to be a source of tension in the UK-EU relationship and such a divisive issue in Northern Ireland? Are attitudes changing? Where are the sticking points, and where is the protocol working well? What challenges are coming down the track and where can compromise be found? Panel: Professor Katy Hayward, Professor of Political Sociology, Queen's University Belfast and Senior Fellow at UK in a Changing Europe Professor David Phinnemore, Professor of European Politics at Queen's University Belfast Raoul Ruparel, former Special Adviser to Theresa May on Europe Jess Sargeant, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government (Chair) At the event we had: - 459 total online registrations - 18 people attend in person - 201 people watch the event live Within four days (4 March 2022) the event had had - 544 views on the IfG's YouTube channel - 348 listens on IfG's SoundCloud page |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/events/what-next-northern-ireland-protocol |
| Description | Post-Brexit Clinics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Post-Brexit Clinics were open to the public and organized in collaboration with Queen's Policy Engagement team. Their purpose was to provide regular academically-informed assessments of key developments in the Brexit process and promote awareness of the terms and implications of the UK's withdrawal from and post-Brexit relationship with the EU, particularly as they relate to the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and subsequently the Windsor Framework. They were also designed to increase awareness of Brexit/Protocol implementation issues of concern to stakeholders in Northern Ireland and to encourage informed discussion of Brexit-related issues within Northern Ireland. Each Post-Brexit Clinic lasted c90 minutes and involved 3-4 x 10-minute presentations on key 'Post-Brexit' issues particularly as these relate to Northern Ireland and the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. They were then followed by a facilitated discussion/Q&A session. Presentation slides made available online via Queen's Public Engagement and the project website (https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ProjectEvents/). Most of the Post-Brexit Clinics were recorded and the recording posted on the project website (https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ProjectEvents/) Post-Brexit Clinics were held in: February 2021, April 2021, June 2021, October 2021, December 2021, March 2022, May 2022, June 2022, October 2022, February 2023, June 2023, November 2023, February 2024, June 2024, November 2024 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| URL | https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ProjectEvents/ |
| Description | Post-Brexit Governance NI |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Monitor provides an authoritative source of up-to-date information on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. It includes the legal text of the Protocol as well links to applicable EU acts. There is a section detailing the activities and outputs of the committees and other bodies that form the institutional framework that has been established to oversee the Protocol's implementation. There are also sections that detail legal action relating to the Protocol and the scrutiny activities of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the UK Parliament and other bodies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| URL | https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ |
| Description | Post-Brexit Governance NI - Masterclass Presentation to UK Civil Servants |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Online Masterclass introduction to the research project and findings from opinion polling analysis held at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, London, in February 2022 - advertised across Whitehall and to all FCDO missions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation to European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefcovic |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of research project and findings, particularly around facilitating the voice of Northern Ireland in the governance of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and issues of core concern to people in Northern Ireland regarding the effects of the Protocol. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ProjectEvents/QAsessionwithEUVicePresidentMaro... |
| Description | Scottish Government and Alignment with EU Law |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Commissioned research for the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee of the Scottish Parliament regarding the potential scope of the Scottish Government's commitment to align with EU law after Brexit - provided report and presented this to the Committee on 10 November 2022 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/constitution-europe-external-affairs-and-cultur... |
| Description | Stakeholder Workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The workshops gather views about the effects of the Protocol from sectors most affected by it. They discuss: examples of problems that have arisen during the process of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union (EU) and the first year since the Protocol's full entry into force and which have been successfully addressed, either in whole or in part; new problems that have arisen since the previous workshop and problems relating to the implementation of the Protocol that persist unnecessarily; discuss solutions and/or actions that would be necessary to address problems relating to the implementation of the Protocol any factors on which such solutions/actions depend. Workshops have been held in: June 2021, October 2021, February 2022, June 2022, October 2022, February 2023, |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | Talk to Educators |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentations and discussions with visiting educators from various locations: e.g. Akademie für Lehrerfortbildung und Personalführung (Bavaria, Germany), Hulebäcksgymnasiet (Sweden) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
| Description | Testing the Temperature - UK in a Changing Europe Annual Conference (2024) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and discussion |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice-annual-conference-2024/ |
| Description | The EU, the UK and the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland - What Next? (Brussels) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Seminar held in Brussels on the project findings |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | The Protocol, the Windsor Framework, and Safeguarding the Union: how we got here, and what next? - International Trade Institute Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Webinar presentation and discussion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | The Windsor Framework and Northern Ireland's Trade Governance Regime |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | A one day workshop focused on the impact of the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland's post-Brexit trade regime. The workshop brought together leading experts in the areas of trade and customs, state aid, taxation as well as governance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ProjectEvents/TheWindsorFrameworkandNorthernIr... |
| Description | The Windsor Framework: A New Beginning for the Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland? - IIEA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Seminar presentation and discussion in Brussels hosted by think tank branch |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Windsor Framework Briefing - ASDA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Briefing to senior managers involved in managing implications of Windsor Framework for ASDA supermarket |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |