Why is Northern Ireland part of the UK?

Northern Ireland was created in 1921, when Ireland was partitioned by the Government of Ireland Act 1920, creating a devolved government for the six northeastern counties. The majority of Northern Ireland’s population were unionists, who wanted to remain within the United Kingdom.

Is Northern Ireland British?

Nationality and citizenship Northern Ireland is part of the UK.

How will Brexit affect Irish businesses?

Brexit will create challenges and opportunities for the Irish economy and Irish based businesses. Some of the most immediate consequences of Brexit and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement include: Irish businesses will have quota and tariff free access to the UK – this is a key benefit of the deal.

Why did Northern Ireland split?

The partition of Ireland (Irish: críochdheighilt na hÉireann) was the process by which the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland divided Ireland into two self-governing polities: Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. This was largely due to 17th-century British colonisation.

What is Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol?

What is Article 16? Article 16 is a safeguarding mechanism within the Ireland/Northern Ireland protocol, the arrangements agreed as part of the UK–EU Withdrawal Agreement to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.

What is Article 16 and why has the EU invoked it?

A row over COVID vaccine supplies prompted the EU to use the “nuclear” option of invoking Article 16 – but then it quickly changed course, so what is it all about? The article is part of the Northern Ireland Protocol – the agreement that governs the country’s trading arrangements with the European Union and the rest of the UK after Brexit.

Why did the EU make a U-turn on triggering Article 16?

But triggering Article 16 would have meant Northern Ireland was considered an export territory for vaccines sent from the EU and the Republic of Ireland. Why did the EU make a U-turn on using Article 16? Condemnation on using the “nuclear” option was swift and triggered a flurry of calls between UK and EU leaders.

Is Northern Ireland inside or outside the EU?

It is effectively still inside the EU customs territory and the single market for goods. Goods can flow between Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the EU in the same way they did when the UK was a member – without customs checks, tariffs or new paperwork. Why is invoking Article 16 so serious?