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<p>Clause 21 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill would allow the UK Government
to meet fully the obligations set out in the Northern Ireland Protocol. The “Henry
VIII” power in the clause could be used where necessary to amend primary legislation
to ensure arrangements required in the Northern Ireland Protocol are operational and
to implement the requirements set out in the Protocol.</p><p> </p><p>In response to
concerns raised by the Devolved Administrations, clause 18 of the Bill (<em>Main power
in connection with other separation issues</em>) has been restricted so that powers
under this clause cannot be used to amend the devolution acts, including the Government
of Wales Act 2006.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is working to establish whether restricting
the powers in clause 21 in a similar way would mean the obligations in the Protocol
could still be met. Subject to the outcome of this work, the Government would be open
to imposing the restriction by amending the Bill during its passage.</p><p> </p>
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