Name: Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Uploaded: 2026-10-13T13:30:16+00:00
Duration: 1768 s

00:02 - 02:44

Speaker 3

Minister to move the motion. Thank you Sir Desmond and as ever it is a pleasure to serve under your chairship. I beg to move that the committee has considered the draft Railways Interoperability in Northern Ireland Convention on International Carriage by Rail Amendment Regulations 2026. These regulations implement the United Kingdom's rail interoperability obligations under the Windsor Framework and update domestic legislation implementing the convention concerning international carriage by rail commonly known as COTIF. The regulations establish the technical requirements that railway vehicles, infrastructure and component products must meet before being marketed or brought into service in Northern Ireland.

Interoperability ensures trains, rail infrastructure and equipment can operate safely and effectively across connected rail networks. Northern Ireland's railway is unique in the United Kingdom because it connects directly to the Republic of Ireland's network. Regular Belfast to Dublin passenger services mean technical compatibility is essential for safe, effective cross-border rail. The interoperability framework in Great Britain is set through the Railways Interoperability Regulations 2011. Under the Windsor Framework, the UK must apply Directive 2016/797 in Northern Ireland where it concerns placing on the market, putting into service and the free movement of railway products.

These regulations create a dedicated Northern Ireland framework supporting interoperability between the Northern Irish and Irish networks and giving industry legal certainty. The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments did not draw the regulations to either House's special attention. The Secondary Legislation Committee raised several questions and I would just like to briefly address each directly. The committee questioned the time between the UK's obligation to implement these Windsor Framework requirements and the laying of these regulations. The UK had not implemented the directive before leaving the European Union.

Introducing these arrangements therefore required careful work to ensure that the distinct rail framework to Northern Ireland and Great Britain could continue to operate effectively. Developing the regulations involved substantial technical and legal work across areas including vehicle authorization, rail interoperability and safety. It also required close engagement with the Department for Infrastructure and the European Union Agency for Railways to ensure that the new arrangements operate effectively from day one. Substantial implementation work was also required to make the regime operational, including the development of Northern Ireland national technical rules to supplement the EU specifications. The committee also questioned the department's understanding that domestic legislation was required to implement this directive in Northern Ireland.

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