The NI Secretary wrote to the Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots on Monday to inform him of the decision.

The vote passed on a straight majority basis in the face of opposition from unionist MLAs.

The Northern Ireland Protocol and Windsor Framework mitigate against the worst excesses of Brexit, a Sinn Fein MLA has said.

The democratic consent exercise is required as part of the UK and EU’s Windsor Framework agreement.

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson claims extending the measures for another four years would be unlawful

The Tanaiste said he does ‘not anticipate any difficulties’ from the EU side on a deal on trade arrangements for Northern Ireland.

The DUP leader said the agreement is not perfect, but he is ‘satisfied’ with the outcome

The TUC and ICTU said the legislation may breach the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation agreement.