Recently, the Northern Ireland Protocol has been in the news due to ongoing tensions and disagreements surrounding its implementation. The European Union and the United Kingdom have been at odds over the protocol, with the UK seeking significant changes to its terms. This has led to concerns about the impact on trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, as well as the potential for unrest in the region.
The Northern Ireland Protocol was negotiated as part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement to address the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland. It aims to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland by keeping Northern Ireland aligned with the EU's single market for goods. This means that goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain are subject to EU customs rules and checks. The protocol has been a point of contention since its inception, with critics arguing that it has created barriers to trade within the UK and undermined Northern Ireland's place in the UK's internal market.