The ‘Northern Ireland Protocol' signed by the
United Kingdom and the European Union on 1 January 2021 has been
much criticised over the years by the people of Northern Ireland
for being excessively burdensome. On 27 February 2023, an agreement
was reached to amend the Protocol. Once entered into force, such
agreement will lead to both the simplification of procedures
applicable to the exchange of goods between Great Britain and
Northern Ireland and to the recognition of autonomy for the
Northern Irish Parliament (Stormont Parliament) in the application
of specific European trade rules.
Prior to Brexit, trade between Northern Ireland (one of the four
constituent countries of the United Kingdom) and the Republic of
Ireland (a country completely independent from the United Kingdom)
had always been smooth thanks to the European Union single market
rules. In 2016, however, following the outcome of the Brexit
referendum, negotiations aimed at obtaining a customs agreement
