Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee
10 June 2026
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Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee House of Lords
00:00 - 02:48
Speaker 1
Good morning and welcome to this public meeting of the Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee. Before we start the substance of our evidence today, I just wanted to say something on behalf of the committee about what has happened in the last two days. Today, this Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee of the House of Lords is commencing an inquiry concerning human rights and equality issues in Northern Ireland with specific reference to Article 2 of the Protocol to the Windsor Framework. The committee would like to express sadness at the awful incident which started the events that followed yesterday in Northern Ireland.
And on behalf of the Committee, I express our sadness concerning the violence which broke out yesterday in Belfast, which has required extensive intervention by first responders and the relevant public authorities. We add our voice to the widespread concern arising from yesterday's events. The appearance of such violence on the streets is deeply unwelcome. In our work as a Select Committee, we will take into account any material lessons that can be learned from this regrettable episode.
Right, so, um, I'm now going to make an introduction to our evidence session today. Today holding the first public evidence session of our inquiry on Article 2 of the Protocol Windsor Framework, the so-called non-diminution of rights provision. The committee will examine the scope and implications of Article 2 on Northern Ireland and the wider United Kingdom. In the light of the recent Supreme Court decision in the Dillon case, the committee is also interested in the enforceability of Article 2 in UK law and litigation, as well as the government, the UK government's, the EU's and the civil society's expectations of its operation and application. We're joined today by three valued academic experts.
Professor Brice Dickson is emeritus professor in the School of Law Queen's University Belfast. Dr Eleni Frantziou who is with us in the room is associate professor in public law and human rights at Durham's excellent law school in Durham University. And Professor Colin Murray is professor of law and democracy at the nearby to Durham and also excellent Newcastle University. You're all really very welcome. We very much look forward to your evidence.
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