Brexit Related Research Publications

 Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List

This reading list - ‘Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland’ - was created to assist Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and others to contemplate developments following the UK’s formal exit from the European Union on 31 January 2020.

Since that time, there have continued to be distinctive political, legal and economic outcomes for Northern Ireland, reflecting its unique position under the Withdrawal Agreement and, subsequently, the Windsor Framework.

A significant development in this context was the reset in UK-EU relations initiated in May 2025, marked by a high‑level summit in London and followed by a series of sector‑specific agreements and joint decisions. These developments indicated attempts at more structured cooperation between the UK and the EU, with particular relevance for Northern Ireland in areas such as agri‑food and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) arrangements, trade facilitation, citizens’ rights, energy cooperation and regulatory dialogue. During 2025 and early 2026, further progress was made through the review and refinement of the Windsor Framework, including the UK Government’s acceptance of recommendations arising from the Independent Review and the introduction of new mechanisms intended to improve implementation, governance and scrutiny.

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List - Updated

This reading list – ‘Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland’ – was created to assist Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and others to contemplate developments following the UK’s formal exit from the European Union on 31 January 2020.

In May 2025, a significant development occurred with a 'reset' in UK-EU relations, marked by a high-level summit held in London. This reset has led to new agreements, fostering cooperation between the two parties and addressing a number of post-Brexit issues. Key intentions behind these agreements included the easing of restrictions on work and trade, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for businesses, and enhancing collaboration in the energy sector.

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List - Updated

When compiling this reading list, an attempt has been made to select commentary, analysis and media coverage which has particular relevance to the specific context of Northern Ireland. The list also includes strategically important documents, such as the published positions of the UK and Irish governments and the EU institutions.

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List - Updated

When compiling this reading list, an attempt has been made to select commentary, analysis and media coverage which has particular relevance to the specific context of Northern Ireland. The list also includes strategically important documents, such as the published positions of the UK and Irish governments and the EU institutions.

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List - Updated
The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which is the part of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, addresses the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland. The ‘Windsor Framework: A New Way Forward’, which was agreed in principle on 27 February 2023, amends the Protocol and includes a new procedure: the ‘Stormont Brake’. The UK Government has recently published a Command Paper ‘Safeguarding the Union’ which sets out a range of measures designed to strengthen the operation of the UK internal market.
When compiling this reading list, an attempt has been made to select commentary, analysis and media coverage which has particular relevance to the specific context of Northern Ireland. The list also includes strategically important documents, such as the published positions of the UK and Irish governments and the EU institutions.

2023

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List  (Updated 28 September 2023)
The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which is the part of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, addresses the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland. The ‘Windsor Framework: A New Way Forward’, which was agreed in principle on 27 February 2023, amends the Protocol and includes a new procedure: the ‘Stormont Brake’.
When compiling this reading list, an attempt has been made to select commentary, analysis and media coverage which has particular relevance to the specific context of Northern Ireland. The list also includes strategically important documents, such as the published positions of the UK and Irish governments and the EU institutions.

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List (updated 30 March 2023)

The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which is the part of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, addresses the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland. The ‘Windsor Framework: A New Way Forward’, which was agreed in principle on 27 February 2023, amends the Protocol and includes a new procedure: the ‘Stormont Brake’.

When compiling this reading list, an attempt has been made to select commentary, analysis and media coverage which has particular relevance to the specific context of Northern Ireland. The list also includes strategically important documents, such as the published positions of the UK and Irish governments and the EU institutions.

Topical Digest - The WIndsor Framework

This Topical Digest covers the recent publication of ‘The Windsor Framework: a new way forward’. This framework was agreed in principle by the UK Government and the European Union on 27 February 2023. The digest brings together a snapshot of some of the recent commentary and analysis of the framework with a particular focus on how these changes may affect the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol and future EU/UK relations.

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List (updated 3 Febraury 2022)

In the period between the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union in June 2016 and its formal departure on 31 January 2020, the Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe) published 31 versions of ‘Brexit and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’. This was followed by 6 versions of ‘Brexit Transition and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’, the last appearing on 31 December 2020. This new reading list focuses specifically on the period following the departure of the UK from the EU – that is, the period from 1st January 2021. The list is intended to assist Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and others in scrutinising this new situation, and particularly the ways in which it affects Northern Ireland and the border.

2022

AERA Committee prioritised Common Frameworks – North-South considerations

 AERA Committee Members requested some follow up information in support of RaISe briefing paper NIAR 37-22. More specifically, Members asked for an overview of specific and explicit reference to North-South relationships/considerations within the five committee prioritised Common Frameworks (CFs). 

AERA Committee prioritised common frameworks – overview and considerations

As requested by the Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee, the following paper explores the five prioritised UK Common Frameworks (CFs) identified by the AERA Committee. It seeks to highlight some common areas for further consideration across all five, and also identifies issues specific to each framework. This paper is no way an exhaustive presentation of all issues and areas to be considered with the CFs, it merely acts as a starting point for further information and discussion. 

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List (updated 25 Febraury 2022) 

In the period between the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union in June 2016 and its formal departure on 31 January 2020, the Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe) published 31 versions of ‘Brexit and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’. This was followed by 6 versions of ‘Brexit Transition and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’, the last appearing on 31 December 2020. This new reading list focuses specifically on the period following the departure of the UK from the EU – that is, the period from 1st January 2021. The list is intended to assist Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and others in scrutinising this new situation, and particularly the ways in which it affects Northern Ireland and the border. 

The Provisional Late Payments (Commercial Transactions) Common Framework

This briefing paper is prepared at the request of the Committee for the Economy, to assist its scrutiny of the Provisional Late Payments (Commercial Transactions) Common Framework (LPCF). It is a non-legislative Common Framework (CF), setting out the proposed arrangements in the area of Late Payments, to underpin working relationships between the United Kingdom (UK) Government, the Scottish and Welsh Governments, and the Northern Ireland (NI) Executive, following on from the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU).

 The Provisional Company Law Common Framework

 This briefing paper explores issues arising from the Provisional Company Law Common Framework, to assist the Committee for the Economy in its scrutiny role. 

2021

The Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol: EU Response to Command Paper

This briefing paper addresses a query from the Committee for the Executive Office. It is the second of two papers which provide an overview of developments around the Ireland / Northern Ireland Protocol (the Protocol) in 2021, since the issue of the UK
Government Command Paper, “The Northern Ireland Protocol: the way forward”. The paper provides an overview of events in the autumn, before summarising the EU’s new set of proposals, which are in addition to the non-papers published in June. The first paper presented to the Committee for the Executive Office can be found here.

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List (updated 9 November 2021) 

In the period between the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union in June 2016 and its formal departure on 31 January 2020, the Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe) published 31 versions of ‘Brexit and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’. This was followed by 6 versions of ‘Brexit Transition and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’, the last appearing on 31 December 2020. This new reading list focuses specifically on the period following the departure of the UK from the EU – that is, the period from 1st January 2021. The list is intended to assist Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and others in scrutinising this new situation, and particularly the ways in which it affects Northern Ireland and the border.

The Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol - UK Government Command Paper 

This Briefing Paper addresses a query from the Committee for the Executive Office. It provides an overview of developments around the Ireland / Northern Ireland Protocol (the Protocol) in 2021, which preceded the issue of the UK Government Command Paper “The Northern Ireland Protocol: the way forward”. The paper then considers the command paper and the proposals it contains, together with the EU’s present position and response to the paper. 

Internal Market Act 2020 and the Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland
Within the current unsettled context, and from a layperson's perspective, this paper seeks to explain how provisions contained in the Internal Market Act 2020 (the "IMA") and the "Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland" appear to relate to each other; while also highlighting their relevance to the work of the Committee for Finance. Throughout, potential issues for consideration are provided, to support the Committee when discharging its advisory and scrutiny roles.

Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol and Net Zero
This briefing note is a follow up to the RaISe paper Northern Ireland and Net Zero (NIAR 47-21).  It provides examples of some of the potential impacts of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol in achieving Net Zero, and should not be considered as a comprehensive analysis or assessment.

The Public Procurement Common Framework
This paper explores issues arising from the Public Procurement Common Framework, to assist the Committee for Finance in its scrutiny role.

Northern Ireland and Net Zero
This paper has been provided in response to an AERA Committee request for information on net zero targets across the UK, Republic of Ireland (RoI), and particularly Wales; it also examines departmental programmes aimed at addressing climate change across different sectors in Northern Ireland (NI).  Finally, examples of “greenhouse gas removing technologies” are provided, as mentioned in the Climate Change Committee Letter on Northern Ireland’s contribution to UK Net Zero and DAERA’s response Letter.

UK Freeport policy and the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland
This paper has been prepared for the Committee for Finance to assist in its scrutiny role. The paper’s central focus is to examine the interaction between United Kingdom (UK) Freeport Policy and the “Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland” (the Protocol). It also provides a range of background information to provide a useful context for the analysis. 

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List (Updated 29 July 2021)
In the period between the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union in June 2016 and its formal departure on 31 January 2020, the Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe) published 31 versions of ‘Brexit and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’. This was followed by 6 versions of ‘Brexit Transition and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’, the last appearing on 31 December 2020. This new reading list focuses specifically on the period following the departure of the UK from the EU – that is, the period from 1st January 2021. The list is intended to assist Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and others in scrutinising this new situation, and particularly the ways in which it affects Northern Ireland and the border. 

2020

Brexit and Health in Northern Ireland
This briefing paper provides an overview of Brexit and the likely impact that it will have on the health service in Northern Ireland. It also covers other impacted areas within the remit of the Health Committee.

Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity in the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol: The Dedicated Mechanism
In December 2019, a new Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol was presented to the European Council in the context of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. The Protocol was intended to seek a solution to reconcile the different interests associated with the unique position of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This Note briefly summarises the role of the dedicated mechanism for monitoring the implementation of Article 2 of the Protocol.

EU ETS- Phase IV
This briefing paper is a follow up to the RaISe Paper (No. 45/20)  Common framework background paper: Emissions Trading (17 September 2020) and the accompanying presentation to the Committee.  It provides more detail on Phase IV of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and on a number of other areas also discussed at the presentation.

Common framework background paper: Emissions Trading
The purpose of this paper is to provide some background context to the new common framework on a UK emissions trading scheme (ETS). It will give a brief summary of the current policy area covered by the proposed common framework, to include existing EU provisions. It will also give a brief overview of the proposed UK ETS common framework, focusing on the provisions of the legislative Order (the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020) and raise a number of further considerations around the common framework and its operation.

The Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol – overview and potential issues
This briefing paper provides an overview of some the main features of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol as they relate to the role and responsibilities of the AERA Committee and also identifies outstanding questions/issues around its implementation and operation moving forward.  This paper is not intended as a forensic examination of the Protocol in terms of its content or its implementation, as at the time of writing there are elements of the Protocol which are still effectively ‘work in progress’ between the UK and EU. Rather, the intended purpose of this paper is to provide an accessible ‘first taste’ of the Protocol.

Brexit Transition and Northern Ireland: A Reading List (Updated 31.12.20)
In the period between the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union in June 2016 and its formal departure on 31 January 2020, the Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe) published 31 versions of ‘Brexit and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’. This new reading list focuses specifically on the transition period – that is, the period until the end of 2020 during which the EU and the UK negotiate further details of their future relationship. The list is intended to assist Members of the
Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and others in scrutinising that transition period, and particularly the ways in which those negotiations and their outcome may affect Northern Ireland and the border.

UK Exit from the EU Briefing Paper Series: Withdrawal
Agreement, Protocol and Political Declaration - Potential
Implications for Single Electricity Market in Northern Ireland
This is paper 6 of a 6-part series, which explores key potential implications arising from the Withdrawal Agreement, the “Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland” and the Political Declaration in relation to the Single Electricity Market in Northern Ireland.

UK Exit from the EU Briefing Paper Series: Withdrawal
Agreement, Protocol and Political Declaration - Potential
implications for state aid in Northern Ireland
This is paper 5 of a 6-part series. It explores key potential implications arising from the Withdrawal Agreement, the Protocol and the Political Declaration for state aid. Throughout, the paper provides potential scrutiny points.

UK Exit from the EU Briefing Paper Series: Withdrawal
Agreement, Protocol and Political Declaration - Some Employment Considerations for Northern Ireland
This is paper 4 of a 6-part series. It highlights provisions under the Withdrawal Agreement, the Protocol and the Political Declaration, which concern employment rights and migrant workers, raising considerations for Northern Ireland. Throughout, it includes potential scrutiny points

UK Exit from the EU Briefing Paper Series: Withdrawal
Agreement, Protocol and Political Declaration - Potential implications for Value Added Tax and Excise in Northern Ireland
This is paper 3 of a 6-part series.  It explores key potential implications arising from the Withdrawal Agreement, the Protocol and the Political Declaration for VAT and excise.  Throughout, the paper provides potential scrutiny points.

UK Exit from the EU Briefing Paper Series: Withdrawal
Agreement, Protocol and Political Declaration - Potential Implications for Customs and Trade in Northern Ireland
This is paper 2 of a 6-part series, which explores key potential implications arising from the Withdrawal Agreement, the “Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland” and the Political Declaration in relation to customs and trade in Northern Ireland.

UK Exit from the EU Briefing Paper Series: Withdrawal Agreement, Protocol and Political Declaration - Overview of  Governance Arrangements
This is paper 1 of a 6-part series. It provides a brief overview of the governance arrangements set out under the Withdrawal Agreement, the Protocol and the Political Declaration, for the limited purpose of providing context for subsequent paper in the series. It is not intended to be exhaustive. Throughout it includes potential scrutiny

2017

Addendum to NIAR 32-16: ‘The EU Referendum and the potential implications for Northern Ireland’
On the 10 February 2016 the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service published a briefing paper (NIAR 32-16) which examined the ‘The EU Referendum and the potential implications for Northern Ireland’. A significant section of this paper was devoted to the potential trade implications of Brexit from Northern Ireland.  This section relied upon Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) data to reach its conclusion.  The methodology used to compile this data has recently been revised. The purpose of this paper is to outline how this methodological change alters the findings of NIAR 32-16.

Brexit and Northern Ireland: A Reading List (updated 31.01.20)
This paper provides a list of journal articles, blog articles, briefing papers and other reading materials relating to the UK’s exit from the EU and the implications for Northern Ireland. As the volume of published material on Brexit is vast and varied, this reading list does not purport to be a single comprehensive source covering all issues and opinions. However, the material has been drawn from a wide range of well-established and authoritative sources and RaISe intends to update the reading list as appropriate.

Possible implications of ‘Brexit’ for transport and water policy
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and its arms-length-bodies maintain and develop infrastructure and services that support economic and social activity in Northern Ireland. This includes our water and sewerage networks, rivers and flood defence, roads and footpaths, and public transport services. The extent to which ‘Brexit’ will impact on the way these issues are dealt with, and ultimately on the work of DfI, is unknown and will depend entirely on the outcome of negotiations between the UK Government and the EU. The purpose of this paper is to briefly outline the influence of the EU on the work of the DfI and to highlight issues that may require further consideration.

Briefing Paper for the eighth meeting of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association. Paper 1: Impact of Brexit on Cross-Border Activity
This paper has been prepared to support the eighth meeting of the
North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association, which will address ‘the impact of Brexit on cross-border activity’. The paper provides an overview of the responses to the majority Leave vote of the government and legislature in each jurisdiction. It also provides background information on a range of issues upon which ‘Brexit’ may have impact across the island of Ireland. This list is not intended to be exhaustive and it is important to note that the implications of UK's withdrawal from EU can be assessed only once the terms of the withdrawal agreement from the EU are known. In particular, the future trade relationship between the UK and EU will impact significantly on trading relations across the jurisdictions.

International Relations Outside the European Union: Norway and Switzerland
This briefing paper has been prepared to support the Committee of the Executive Office in its scrutiny of the Executive in its actions in relation to the exit of the UK from the European Union. The paper takes two non-EU Member States in Europe – Norway and Switzerland – and examines how they interact with the EU and internationally.

Examples of UK environmental legislation which pre-date EU legislation
During a RaISe briefing to the Agriculture, Environment and Rural
Affairs Committee on Northern Ireland’s environment – background and potential ‘Brexit’ considerations (NIAR 262-16) long established UK environmental requirements pre-dating EU legislation were discussed. Members asked for further examples, and while not exhaustive, this briefing note attempts to identify a number of these.

Northern Ireland’s fisheries sectors – background and possible ‘Brexit’ considerations
This briefing paper provides contextual information on the sea and inland fisheries sectors within Northern Ireland, as well as exploring potential considerations for the sectors following on from the UK referendum decision to leave the European Union on 23rd June.

Health and Social Care in NI - Areas of EU Competence, Action and Support - Potential Areas of Impact on Health and Social Care as a result of EU Referendum Decision
Health care systems in EU member states are a matter of national responsibility and in the UK health and social care is a devolved matter. Therefore health is not an area of major EU competence and the role of the EU is largely to support member states to effectively deliver related policy and services. However, the result of the EU referendum is not without potential impact in the health field for Northern Ireland. This briefing paper looks generally at EU competence in the area of health and also focuses on a selected range of specific areas that will require negotiation and resolution in the light of the result of the EU Referendum.

Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector – background and possible ‘Brexit’ considerations
This briefing paper provides contextual information on the agriculture and food and drink processing sectors, as well as exploring potential considerations for the sectors following on from the UK referendum decision to leave the European Union on the 23rd June.

Non-EU UK Treaty Obligations: An Overview
This paper has been compiled to support the Committee for the Executive Office in its consideration of the potential impacts for Northern Ireland of UK withdrawal from the European Union.

Northern Ireland’s environment - background and potential ‘Brexit’ considerations 
This paper considers some of the areas under environment that
may be impacted by leaving the European Union. It does this by identifying some of the main EU legislation in each area and briefly outlining how the legislation is transposed in Northern Ireland. It also notes possible questions for DAERA and the UK Government in light of the considerations raised.

Public procurement after the European Union referendum
This Briefing Paper summarises key elements of the European-derived public procurement rules as they apply in Northern Ireland. It also briefly presents what is currently known about future procurement regulation following the European Union (EU) referendum.

Possible models for the UK-EU relationship post ‘Brexit’
The exact nature of the relationship the UK and the EU will end up with remains unclear at this time and will be subject to potentially complex and protracted negotiations. This paper provides an overview of some of the most commonly cited potential alternatives open to the UK and EU and whilst the ultimate outcome may directly mirror one of these models or individual features within them, there could equally be potential for a bespoke UK-EU model. For the purposes of this paper the focus is on how each of the potential relationship models impact on issues relating to the environment, agriculture and fisheries within the context of EU regulation and single market access.

The EU Referendum and Northern Ireland: Information Resources (updated 20 May 2016)
This purpose of this document, which may be updated as appropriate, is to provide Members with a list of information resources which address the potential impacts on Northern Ireland of a decision by the UK to leave the European Union. For political, economic, geographic and social reasons, these impacts might be expected to differ in important ways from the impact of withdrawal on other parts of the UK.

The EU referendum and potential implications for Northern Ireland
This paper examines the debate surrounding the EU referendum and the potential implications of that vote on Northern Ireland, focusing on trade and investment. (Addendum to this paper published 26/05/17)