Contributions
836 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his wider support and I share his frustration at hearing people who purport to represent UK citizens and Northern Ireland citizens, in this…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolYes, I hope that the EU will engage in a positive way, because I think that as equal partners and equal sovereign states we are able to conduct a proper negotiation to resolve…21 Jul 2021HANSARDLegacy IssuesActually, the hon. Lady in a way has highlighted the point I was making last week; I think there is a way to do information recovery to get to truth and accountability. Operation…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolI take my hon. Friend’s point: this is not something that we can allow to drag on and on. I think our track record shows that we will do what we need to do when the time is right,…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolWe are not looking to set arbitrary timelines. We want to let the EU respond and to negotiate with it, and in the weeks ahead we will all see how that negotiation works through. I…21 Jul 2021HANSARDLegacy IssuesWAVE is a strong body representing victims, although the hon. Gentleman’s comment about it being the largest might be challenged by some of the other victims groups. I think they…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolMy hon. Friend makes an important point. I recognise and believe that both vice-president Maroš Šefčovič and the wider EU want an outcome that is good for the people of Northern…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolThe issues that companies such as Mr Norman’s have found are the very issues we want to resolve as part of the wider package. It is important to note, as we look at the Command…21 Jul 2021HANSARDLegacy IssuesAs the hon. Gentleman rightly acknowledges, there is no moral equivalence here. Obviously there is a legal equivalence going back to the Good Friday/Belfast agreement, but there…21 Jul 2021HANSARDLegacy IssuesLast week, in this Chamber, I set out proposals for addressing the legacy of the troubles, which will focus on reconciliation, delivering better outcomes for victims, and ending…21 Jul 2021HANSARDLegacy IssuesMy right hon. Friend is right. I saw some of the comments made in yesterday’s debate and, as I said last week, we recognise the strength of feeling and the concerns that people…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolThe hon. Gentleman is right. As other colleagues have said today, it is important, and we are very clear, that we are not taking any options off the table. We need to ensure that…21 Jul 2021HANSARDLegacy IssuesThey were not. I outlined the proposals here in Parliament last week, and I have not had those kinds of conversations. I saw some reports of such conversations, but I am not sure…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolLet me point out to the hon. Lady that there are two parties to the agreement, the UK and the EU. I can only assume from her suggestion that we should take more notice of other…21 Jul 2021HANSARDLegacy IssuesI agree with the hon. Lady that we want to make sure that the outcomes we come to on legacy are able to deliver for victims and the families of victims, particularly those…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolThe hon. Gentleman perfectly outlines the reason why it is important that we deal with the underlying problem, rather than looking separately at all these different symptoms. Many…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolMy hon. Friend’s comment is absolutely spot on. The Command Paper is clear that we seek an agreed new balance to meet the commitments in the protocol in a way that fully respects…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolThe hon. Lady makes a very important point. The issues with the protocol and the problems it has created for consumers and businesses affect all communities in Northern Ireland,…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolThe agreement we are seeking is one that recognises that Northern Ireland is fundamentally part of the UK internal market. That means not only the goods which at the moment can…21 Jul 2021HANSARD Northern Ireland ProtocolYes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. The hon. Member for Foyle (Colum Eastwood) referenced a quote of mine about the opportunities for Northern Ireland. If we just imagine the…21 Jul 2021