Draft Railways (Interoperability in Northern Ireland) (Convention on International Carriage by Rail) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Carla Lockhart Excerpts

Tuesday 13th October 2026 General Committees

[Carla Lockhart (Upper Bann) (DUP)]

Yet again, Northern Ireland is being told to accept different rules from the rest of our country. We have had no formal public consultation and no elected voice in making EU laws—just another instruction to put up with the consequences of the protocol. That is the reality of where we find ourselves today. Ministers will tell us that the regulations are technical, but the reason we are here is political. The protocol, now dressed up as the Windsor framework, requires Northern Ireland to implement EU rules while Great Britain continues under its existing framework. The name of the protocol changed, but the problems continue to grow.

I want safe railways, and trains and equipment that work properly together, but my constituents should not have to surrender their democratic voice to achieve that. The regulations create a separate railway regime for Northern Ireland, and businesses supplying equipment to Northern Ireland will have to meet the requirements that apply under them. The Minister needs to explain clearly what that actually means for suppliers trading within their own country. In reality, we all know that it means additional paperwork, additional assessments and additional cost.

Once again, there has been no acknowledgment of the impact the measures have on the ground for businesses in Northern Ireland, nor an explanation for why there was no formal public consultation. Speaking to the Department for Infrastructure and Translink does not give everyone who is affected, including suppliers and businesses, the chance to have their say that they deserve. The Government’s answer is that their obligations under the Windsor framework leave them no alternative. That says everything about this arrangement. Ministers came before Parliament and told us that their hands are tied by an agreement that they continue to defend, but my hands are not, and I, along with the hon. and learned Member for North Antrim, who sits beside me, and others will continue to challenge it.

I find it incredible that after all the promises that we have heard, we are here again to debate another separate rule for Northern Ireland. People are sick and tired of being told that each new measure is small, technical or unavoidable. People in Northern Ireland are not wearing that, because every small, technical or unavoidable measure creates a further barrier between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Minister should explain the consequences for businesses, justify the absence of public consultation and recognise, at the very least, the impact that the Windsor framework and the protocol continue to have on people and businesses in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and our people, just like the constituents of hon. Members in other parts of the UK, deserve to have a say in its laws. “The protocol requires it,” will never be a good enough answer for my constituents.