The Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee

Read an explainer on the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee.pdf (402.32 kb)

The Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee (DSC) is a standing committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly established under Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (PDF, 8 pages, 59KB).

The Committee’s purpose is to assist with the observation and implementation of Article 13(3a) and (4) of the Windsor Framework. The Committee’s functions include:

  • examining and considering new EU acts and replacement EU acts;
  • conducting inquiries and publishing reports in relation to replacement EU acts;
  • engaging with businesses, civil society and others in relation to replacement EU acts;
  • engaging with the UK Government in relation to replacement EU acts;
  • engaging with Ministers of Northern Ireland departments and the NI Executive in relation to replacement EU acts;
  • dealing with other matters (including legislative proposals which may become new EU acts or replacement EU acts) which the Committee considers to be connected with its purpose or other functions.

Visit the Democratic Scrutiny Committee's webpage

Proposed EU acts

The UK Government may notify the Committee about new or replacement EU acts which have been proposed by the European Commission. The Committee can monitor the progress of this legislation, publish interim reports, and hold inquiries.

Published EU acts

The Government may also notify the Committee about amending or replacement EU acts which have been published in the EU’s Official Journal. Following this, the Committee has five working days to decide whether to hold an inquiry into the EU act and must publish its decision. The Committee must have regard to whether the amending or replacement EU act:

  • “significantly differs (in whole or in part) from the content or scope of the EU instrument which it amends or replaces, and
  • would have a significant impact specific to everyday life of communities in Northern Ireland in a way that is liable to persist”

The legislation states that during the inquiry, the Committee must engage with the UK Government, a Minister or Northern Ireland department, and representatives of businesses and civil society potentially affected by the EU act.

The Committee must publish a report on its inquiry no later than 15 working days before the end of the two month scrutiny period (which begins when the EU act is published).

The diagram below sets out the process for the Democratic Scrutiny Committee*:

A flowchart of the processes for the Democratic Scrutiny Committee, as set out in the text above

 

References and further reading

 

*This flowchart summarises the process. It should be read in conjunction with the relevant legislation and documents.