European Council

Debate between Lord Thomas of Gresford and Baroness Evans of Bowes Park

Monday 26th March 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Thomas of Gresford (LD)]

Perhaps I might ask the Leader to answer the question that was put to her by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Hope. If we remain subject to the jurisdiction of the ECJ during the transition or implementation period, will we retain a British judge on the European Court of Justice, as we have hitherto had?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

As I have said, obviously we will continue to be under the jurisdiction of the ECJ during the implementation period. After that, we leave the ECJ.

[Lord Thomas of Gresford]

I am sorry, that does not answer my question. Will we retain a British judge on the European Court of Justice, as we have now, if we are still subject to its jurisdiction?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

That will be part of the negotiations.

Brexit Negotiations

Debate between Lord Thomas of Gresford and Baroness Evans of Bowes Park

Monday 11th December 2017 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

My noble and learned friend is right.

[Lord Thomas of Gresford (LD)]

Will the noble Baroness help me on this question of full regulatory alignment between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic? Who is going to determine that? Will it be the Supreme Court of Ireland, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom or the European Court of Justice? She said about 10 minutes ago that the present situation is one of full regulatory alignment. What happens if the status quo changes?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

As I have said on a number of occasions, alignment is about pursing the same objectives. The same goals can be achieved by different means, and it does not need to mean regulatory harmonisation. Indeed, the Taoiseach has said that not everything has to be the same.