Lord Moylan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects of the EU’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on trade and commerce in Northern Ireland in the light of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland; and what consultations they have been offered by the EU on this matter.
Minister of State at the Cabinet Office (Lord Frost): The Government has noted the EU’s announcement on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. In line with the provisions in Article 13(4) of the Protocol, as an act that falls within the scope of the Protocol, but which neither amends nor replaces a Union act listed in the Annexes to this Protocol, it is a matter for the Joint Committee to determine whether it should apply in Northern Ireland. The EU has informed the UK of its proposal, as required by the Protocol, and we will carefully consider its impact on Northern Ireland and the UK’s internal market, ahead of future discussions in the Joint Committee.