Section 22: Powers corresponding to section 21 involving devolved authorities
- This section provides a corresponding power to that at section 21 allowing devolved authorities to make regulations to implement the Protocol in areas of devolved competence, inserting a new Part 1C into Schedule 2 to the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
- Paragraph 11M(1) provides devolved authorities with the power to make legislative changes which they consider appropriate for the purposes of implementing the Protocol. This includes supplementing the effect of section 7A of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (inserted by section 5 of the Act) in relation to the Protocol or dealing with matters arising out of, or related to, the Protocol. It also includes giving effect to amendments to the Withdrawal Agreement adopted by the Joint Committee falling within the scope of the particular matters that this power is intended to address.
- Paragraph 11M(2) provides that this power can be used by a Minister of the Crown and a devolved administration acting jointly.
- Paragraph 11M(3) provides that regulations made under this power are capable of doing anything an Act of Parliament can do.
- Paragraph 11M(4) clarifies that the power may be used to make provision facilitating the access of Northern Ireland goods to the market within Great Britain.
- Paragraph 11M(5) clarifies that regulations made under subsection (3) may, among other things, provide for the recognition within Great Britain of technical regulations, assessments, registrations, certificates, approvals and authorisations issued by the authorities of a Member State or bodies established in a Member State in respect of Northern Ireland goods.
- Paragraph 11M(6) clarifies that the power can be used to restate elements of the Protocol that automatically become domestic law via section 5 of this Act. This type of restatement can occur where it would be helpful to provide clarity or to make the law more accessible.
- Paragraph 11M(7) makes the use of this power subject to the provisions of paragraph 11N (restricting the power to being exercisable only in areas of devolved competence) and paragraph 11O (certain requirements for consent, joint exercise or consultation) of the same schedule of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
- Paragraph 11M(8) defines the Protocol for the purposes of the section as including any other provision of the Withdrawal Agreement so far as applying to the Protocol, and any provisions of EU law applied by, or referred to in the Protocol, but excludes the second sentence of Article 11(1) of the Protocol.
- Paragraph 11N provides that the power to implement the Protocol cannot be used outside of devolved competence, as defined in paragraphs 11P to 11R, where exercised by devolved authorities acting alone.
- Paragraph 11O provides that, where a devolved authority is making a provision for the purposes of implementing the Protocol, the requirements for consent, joint exercise or consultation with the UK Government will apply where the type of provision would, if made under other powers, require UK Government consent, consultation or joint exercise of powers.
