Contributions
836 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022I appreciate that. We have all waited for far too long. Hopefully my answer reinforces that I want to see this done through the proper devolved measure, but ultimately we have to…16 Jun 2022HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022We have taken advice continually throughout the whole process of the regulations. I will come on to some of the expert advice we are taking at the moment about the commissioning…16 Jun 2022HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022I appreciate the position that the hon. Gentleman is coming at this from. For me, that is why it is important that women and girls have access to properly commissioned healthcare…16 Jun 2022HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022This specific point was voted on back in 2020. I recognise that some have concerns, as the hon. Gentleman has outlined, that the regulations go beyond what is in Great Britain.…16 Jun 2022HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 554). In opening this debate, I acknowledge and respect the deeply…16 Jun 2022HANSARDAbortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022We have heard a wide range of views expressed today, which highlights the point I made at the beginning: this is an issue that people have strong views on. There have been varied…16 Jun 2022HANSARDRecognition of Ulster Scots as a National Minority and Funding for An Ciste Infheistíochta Gaeilge,Today, the Government are recognising officially Ulster Scots as a national minority under the Council of Europe framework convention for the protection of national minorities,…25 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillThe right hon. Gentleman makes a reasonable point. As I said, it is widely acknowledged that this is a very difficult and painful area on which there has not been consensus. There…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillMy hon. Friend is right in the example that he gives. I will reference another one later. Operation Kenova has been successfully led and was also regarded with some scepticism at…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillMy right hon. Friend makes an important point. I am very aware that the Defence Committee has published two reports in this area, and they are well worth reading. They recognise…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillMy hon. Friend makes a very important point. One of the things that has been clear in talking to victims groups, and obviously one of the challenges of this issue is that…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillMy hon. Friend makes a good and important point. He is quite right. One of the challenges is the point about balance that I made a few moments ago. As we go forward it is…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI do not recognise that description of events from the hon. Gentleman. There has been wide engagement on this, both with the political parties, including his own just last week,…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillMy right hon. Friend makes the same point, and I will deal with that issue specifically in a few moments. My message to victims and survivors, many of whom have engaged with us…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI will just make a bit of progress and then take some more interventions. Drawing its core principles from the important work and principles of Stormont House, which the hon.…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI am just going to make a bit of progress. It is crucial that people with the right level of expertise take the important decisions, as my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI take the hon. Gentleman’s point. That is why I made the point I just made, which I will repeat because I want to be absolutely clear about this: these letters have no legal…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI have not seen it yet, but I hope we will soon see something from the Irish Government to ensure that in both jurisdictions we are working to make sure that people have as much…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI know that the hon. Gentleman and other colleagues have previously raised cases with both me and the Irish Government. One thing that was outlined in the papers that were signed…24 May 2022HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillIt is not going to disappear. What we are looking to do is to have a full, independent, investigative, article 2-compliant process. I will touch on that in the next few minutes.24 May 2022