An EU rule is to be added the Windsor Framework and apply in Northern Ireland despite unionists trying to block it with a Stormont vote.

Last year the EU rule failed to get cross-community approval at the Northern Ireland Assembly after unionists voted against it in what is known as an applicability motion.

That meant it could not automatically apply in Northern Ireland although the ultimate decision rested with the UK government.

The government has now decided the rule will be implemented as it will not create a new regulatory barrier between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The rule in questions deals with the protection of geographical indications (GI) for craft and industrial products.

That means legally defining and protecting certain products, which are tied to a geographical area, and is considered a useful marketing tool that can add value.

There are already GI indicator schemes for food and drink – for example, only sparkling wines from a certain area of France can be called Champagne.

The new rule is extending this to cover manufactured goods, such as Italian Murano glass.