AQO 252/22-27

Dr Steve Aiken OBE
Ulster Unionist Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 21/03/2024
Answered On Date: 02/05/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the measures they have in place to ensure that appropriate scrutiny of all EU legislation and regulations can be carried out in a timely manner.

Answer:

The EU notifies the UK, including Northern Ireland, of any new EU laws that amend or replace the legislation listed in the annexes of the Windsor Framework, as well as new laws where the EU intends to request their addition. Notifications are disseminated by TEO to policy leads across NICS departments using the EU Legislation Information Tracking System (EULITS) system.

The Brussels Office monitors the development of relevant legislation though the legislative progress and provides updates to departmental policy leads. They also carry out upstream monitoring using information such as the Commission Work Programme.

In addition to monitoring the formal processes, the Brussels office also informally engages with representatives of EU Institutions and other stakeholders to gather information to assist policy leads in their understanding of issues.

Throughout the process departmental policy leads can ask the EU for clarification via the Joint Consultative Working Group and its structured subgroups.