evidence: - A last-resort mechanism called the Stormont Brake allows the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly to prevent the application of new or amended EU laws. The mechanism can only be triggered if at least a third of Assembly members from at least two political parties request it. [...] The European Commission has launched four new infringement procedures against the United Kingdom for not complying with significant parts of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland. [...] In a statement following the UK government's announcement regarding the Protocol on Northern Ireland, Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič said the EU was ready to continue to seek creative solutions, within the framework of the Protocol, in the interest of all communities in Northern Ireland.