So that's Article 2 of the original protocol?

That's correct, Tom.

And what it provides, and we'll maybe quote the key language here, given that, you know, it's so critical to what we're going to talk about.

It says, the United Kingdom shall ensure... that no diminution of rights, safeguards or equality of opportunity as set out in that part of the 1998 agreement entitled rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity results from its withdrawal from the union.

including in the area of protection against discrimination, as enshrined in the provisions of union law listed in Annex 1 to this protocol, and shall implement this paragraph through dedicated mechanisms.

So very wordy, what does that mean? Well, no diminution, actually.

What it actually means in practice is that if provisions of EU law that set out minimum standards of protection from discrimination, i.e. those listed in Annex 1 of the Good Friday Agreement, If they're updated or replaced by the European Union, then the relevant domestic law in Northern Ireland must be amended to reflect any substantive enhancements to those protections.

So what should all of those different groups of employers be doing? What does this mean for them?