As part of the Windsor Framework, a “Stormont brake” would be introduced where the Northern Ireland Assembly can pause changes in EU goods law from applying in the country.
The UK government could then have a veto to halt the law applying in Northern Ireland permanently.
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2:15
How will NI deal affect the economy?
‘I don’t want any deal to replace a problem with a problem’
Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill said she has some concerns about the mechanism causing further issues but expressed a “cautious welcome” of the framework as a whole.
She also said it is time for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to show “leadership” and agree to restore powersharing as it examines the deal – a year after the party refused to form a government in protest over the original Brexit deal.
Ms O’Neill, who is the First Minister Designate, told Sky News: “They should be back around the executive table, taking on the matters of the day.
“And then, yes, let us work through all the details of this in the deal because I equally have some concerns, particularly around this issue of a Stormont brake and what that might look like and how it can be used, because I certainly don’t want any deal to replace a problem with a problem.
“But these are things we can do whilst also being in the executive.”
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8:36
NI gives framework ‘cautious’ welcome
NI can participate in UK trade deals
Mr Heaton-Harris said he can guarantee Northern Ireland will be able to participate fully in future UK trade deals once the Windsor Framework is finalised.
Asked if he could guarantee that, he said: “Yes, we can and also we are now left with about 3% of what was existing EU laws are going to be in place after this gets adopted.
“That is the bare minimum required to allow Northern Ireland businesses the access they have to the European single market at this point.”
Asked if he may regret his words in the future, he added: “I am genuinely not worried about that.”
Put your questions to SNP leadership candidates
Sky News has announced a live TV debate with the three candidates in the race to be the next Scottish National Party leader and First Minister of Scotland.
Kate Forbes MSP, Humza Yousaf MSP and Ash Regan MSP will face questions from Sky News’ Political Editor Beth Rigby. The one-hour show will be aired on Monday March 13th at 8pm live from Edinburgh.
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MPs still have to vote on the deal, including the DUP, but Mr Heaton-Harris said he believes the framework means the executive will now get “up and running”.
Last week the government passed legislation allowing the Northern Ireland secretary to call an election in the country in the next year.
But Mr Heaton-Harris refused to put a timeframe on when he would call an election if Stormont is not functioning again.
“I’ve learned from previous lessons in Northern Ireland that you don’t set time frames and even if you have one in your mind, you would never give it publicly,” he said.