Brexit and Beyond

22 June 2026

Brexit and Beyond Header image 22 June 2026

In this week's edition of Brexit and Beyond, we report back on last week’s Assembly business, including questions to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and a statement from the First Minister regarding recent meetings of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC). 

We look ahead to tomorrow's visit to Dublin by the President of the EU Parliament, Roberta Metsola in preparation for the upcoming Irish presidency of the Council of the EU.  

Our regular ‘Parliamentary Planner’ section highlights upcoming debates and discussion topics at Westminster and the Scottish Parliament this week, and as always, we link you through to the news stories and items of interest you may have missed.    

 

 

 UK-EU Summit expected to be postponed  

Following the resignation this morning of the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, it is being widely reported this afternoon that the UK-EU summit scheduled for 22 July has been postponed. A Politico article reports:EU-UK summit postponed as Keir Starmer resigns, while the Guardian has published an article: European leaders pay tribute to Starmer as EU-UK summit is postponed. 

 

 

 Assembly Round-up  

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Our regular weekly round-up of Brexit, EU and international focused debates and Committee evidence sessions at the Assembly.  

image is the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA pictured in the Assembly chamber responding to questions during Question Time.

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA, was in the chamber on Monday for Question Time. Responding to a question regarding engagement with his counterparts in the South of Ireland on the eradication of Bovine TB, the Minister told Members that there was significant ongoing engagement with officials and through his involvement in the North/South Ministerial Council. He highlighted the regionalisation initiative, delivered through the Shared Island Funding initiative, noting that he was: “… committed to respecting the fact that we live in one single epidemiological area. TB is a challenge, North and South.”  

Regarding a vaccination programme in England and Wales, the Minister told MLAs that a trial conducted by Defra is currently underway in North Wales. He said that while it is important that all available interventions are considered: “We will have to be respectful of the fact that we are under EU law in Northern Ireland and how that affects how we will go forward with any future roll-out, but I am watching that with interest.”

 

image is the First Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA making a statement in the Assembly Chamber

On Tuesday, the First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA made a statement on the fifteenth institutional meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and the thirty-first plenary meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council, both of which were held at the NSMC joint secretariat office in Armagh on 8 May. The deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly MLA was also in attendance.  

The First Minister told the Assembly that Ministers had noted the pivotal role that Ireland will play in the EU from 1 July, as president of the Council of the European Union, adding that they had also noted: “…the progress being made in key areas under the strategic partnership between the UK and the EU…”

Ms. O’Neill said that the Council had welcomed continued collaboration to progress the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review through the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy. She further noted: “… the signing on 7 May of the contract of almost €700 million for the Enterprise rail fleet, funded by the Government of Ireland, the Executive and the PEACE PLUS programme.” 

The First Minister also highlighted current funding initiatives through the Shared Island Fund.

Outlining, the work of InterTradeIreland and Tourism Ireland in supporting further development of the all-island economy, the First Minister told Members that: “The recent combined figures for trade in goods and services between the jurisdictions showed a total value of £14·5 billion in 2024.”  

The First Minister noted the economic impact of InterTradeIreland’s work on “…driving cross-border collaboration, on supporting small to medium-sized enterprises and innovation, on facilitating trade and market access, on helping companies to access new markets and on sharing knowledge and leverage opportunities.” She added that Tourism Ireland too, played a critical role in: “… supporting economic growth, job creation and balanced regional development.” You can read the First Minister’s full Statement and questions from Members here. 

 

 

 President Metsola to visit Dublin ahead of Irish EU Presidency 

image shows the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola with theTaoiseach Micheál Martin. They are walking together and smiling

On Tuesday, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, accompanied by the Conference of Presidents in the European Parliament will visit Dublin to prepare for the upcoming Irish presidency of the Council of the EU.

President Metsola is due to hold meetings with the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and government ministers. They will also hold meetings at the Houses of the Oireachtas, including with the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, Verona Murphy and the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Mark Daly.  

A press release issued by the European Parliament on Friday, 19 June states that: “Discussions are expected to centre around the priorities of the forthcoming Irish presidency – including competitiveness and the One Europe, One Market roadmap, the next EU long-term budget, and broader issues relating to EU values and security.”

Speaking in advance of this week’s visit, President Metsola said: “Ireland takes on the Council Presidency at a defining moment for Europe. Together, the Council and the European Parliament can turn ambition into action – delivering on competitiveness, strengthening our security, and building a long-term budget fit for a new era, while remaining true to the values that define our Union.”

President Metsola and the Taoiseach Micheál Martin will give a press conference at 6:10pm on Tuesday evening which will be broadcast live here.    

 

 

 Committee takes evidence from the Equality Commission on Article 2 of the Windsor Framework 

image shows Geraldine McGahey OBE, Chief Commissioner at Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in a Committee room in the House of Lords giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee

The House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee continued its inquiry into Article 2 of the Protocol/Windsor Framework on Wednesday, 17 June. Providing evidence last week, were Geraldine McGahey OBE, Chief Commissioner at Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and Louise Conlon, Chief Executive at Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.  

The Chief Commissioner provided an overview of the Equality Commission’s functions, its relationship with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), and the development of equality legislation in Northern Ireland. She discussed the Equality Commission’s role alongside the NIHRC as the ‘dedicated mechanism’ set out in Article 2 of the Protocol/Windsor Framework, and the implications of the Supreme Court judgment in the Dillon case. You can watch Wednesday's meeting in full here.  

Meanwhile, the House of Lords European Affairs Committee continued to hear oral evidence as part of its inquiry on Dynamic Alignment. Last week’s evidence focused on UK participation in the internal electricity market.  

 

 

 UK Government publishes Explanatory Memoranda on new EU Chemicals and Plant Protection rules for Northern Ireland  

image shows chemical bottles filed with brightly colored red, orange, blue, pink and green liquids

On 15 June, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published Explanatory Memoranda (EM) regarding two amendments to the EU REACH Regulation, as well as further EU regulations regarding plant protection. The EU REACH Regulation is the main EU law to protect human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals.

The first regulation relates to restrictions on 2,4 dinitrotoluene (2,4 DNT), a substance classified as carcinogenic in both Great Britain and the EU. The second regulation restricts the use of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in firefighting foams, where the EM reports that a broadly similar Restrictions regime currently applies in GB.  

As EU REACH is listed in Annex 2 of the Windsor Framework, both regulations will apply in Northern Ireland. However, the UK Government’s assessment, outlined in the Explanatory Memoranda, states that the practical impact on Northern Ireland with regards the regulations is expected to be limited.  

A third EM, again, published by Defra on 16 June, relates to new EU regulations on Plant Protection Products (“PPPs”) “pesticides” that are used to protect crops or desirable/ useful plants, regulate plant growth, or prevent growth of unwanted plants. While the regulations will apply in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework, Defra states that: “There are no existing PPP authorisations in Northern Ireland that are affected by these Regulations.” The EM further notes that the: “Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs foresee no impacts from these Regulations.”

 

 

 Westminster Brief 

image is Westminster taken at night

In a written statement in the House of Commons on Monday, the Minister for Policing and Crime, Sarah Jones MP announced that from 15 June: “UK police will have access to an EU tool to check vehicle and keeper details to support criminal investigations.”  She explained that: “This reciprocal data sharing will provide an additional avenue of investigation in tackling cross-border crime as well as serious crimes committed in the UK.”

Concluding her statement, the Minister said that: “Vehicle registration data exchanges are provided for in the UK-EU trade and co-operation agreement and this step will contribute to our ongoing efforts to deepen the close co-operation between UK law enforcement and their European counterparts.” You can read the statement in full here.  

During Prime Minister’s Question Time on Wednesday, the Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy MP was asked if it was time to “rip up” the Prime Minister’s: “red lines on Europe…no customs union and no single market”.  The Deputy Prime Minister told MPs: “Our red lines remain, but we are focused on a sanitary and phytosanitary deal to cut prices on the shelves, a youth experience scheme and cutting red tape for exporters.” You can read the transcripthere.  

Responding to a question last Thursday, regarding what steps the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is taking to help support UK artists touring in Europe, the Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, Ian Murray MP reported that he had discussed: “…cultural professionals’ working conditions with the European culture commissioner at the first high-level meeting on culture in March.”  

The Minister said that: “Digital ATA carnets that enable movement without customs declarations or duties were launched on 1 June across the UK, EU, Norway and Switzerland.” He added that the Department would continue: “…to engage with our EU counterparts at all levels and with industry to support touring.”

 

 

 This week in the Assembly 

image shows the inside of the Assembly Chamber in Parliament Buildings

On Tuesday, the Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, will provide a budget, policy and legislative update to the Committee for the Economy. You can watch Tuesday’s meeting live here.  

Meanwhile on Thursday, the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs will hold its weekly meeting in Portaferry, where Members will take evidence from the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO) & The Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation Ltd (NIFPO). An audio recording of Thursday’s meeting will be available here in due course.

 

 

 Parliamentary Planner  

image shows arms resting on a desk as someone types with their left hand and writes on a planner with their right hand.

House of Commons  

Carla Lockhart is scheduled to hold a Westminster Hall Debate on Tuesday regarding UK-Ireland cooperation on border security.  

Also on Tuesday, tabled questions to The Treasury include: ‘If [ The Chancellor] will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing levels of economic cooperation with the EU?’

During questions to the Cabinet Office on Thursday, the Minister is expected to outline the steps he is taking to improve relations with the EU, as well as any recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the future EU-UK relationship. 

House of Lords 

The Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee will continue its evidence sessions on Wednesday re: its ongoing inquiry on Article 2 of the Protocol/Windsor Framework. Evidence will be provided this week by Professor Christopher McCrudden CBE, Barrister at Blackstone Chambers and Emeritus Professor of Human Rights and Equality Law at Queen's University Belfast, and Samuel Willis, Barrister at 11KBW. You can watch Wednesday’s meeting here. 

Scottish Parliament  

This week will mark the first meetings of the Scottish Parliament’s reconstituted Committees.  

The newly titled Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s remit has been amended to include: ‘…any other matter falling within the responsibility of the Scottish Administration relating to devolution, intra-UK and intergovernmental relations well as culture…’ The remit is further amended to reflect that the Committee will now consider “…policy in relation to the UK’s relationship with the EU” rather than policy in relation to the UK’s exit from the EU as per previous mandates.  

At its first meeting on Tuesday, the Committee will decide its representation for the next meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE) of the Council of Europe. The Committee will also be invited to consider its ongoing involvement in, and representation on, the Interparliamentary Forum, the UK/EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly and the Committee of the Regions-UK Contact Group in the autumn. A published meeting paperprovides further detail. 

 

 

 In case you missed it…  

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