Contributions
921 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolI have regular discussions with Northern Ireland political leaders on Northern Ireland matters, including the protocol. The Government are engaging in constructive dialogue with…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ExecutiveIt is essential that the devolved institutions are restored as soon as possible, and that is what the people of Northern Ireland need and deserve. As my hon. Friend the Minister…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ExecutiveThe Government remain committed to the Belfast/Good Friday agreement and will continue to work with the Northern Ireland political parties to restore power sharing. One of the…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolAs I have said, I meet regularly with the Northern Ireland parties. One issue that always comes up is the Northern Ireland protocol. I believe that it was negotiated in very good…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ExecutiveI know my hon. Friend’s interest in this is well founded. I am well aware of his strong interest in these matters because I recall that his father was one of the longest serving…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ExecutiveBased on the questions before us, I am sure we will talk a great deal about the protocol in this questions session. On the hon. Gentleman’s point about people sitting in cold…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ExecutiveAs the hon. Gentleman will know, we recently set a budget for Northern Ireland, because it had not been set at the beginning of the year, to make sure that the money could be…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ExecutiveI thank my hon. Friend, the Chair of the Select Committee, for his question. I am fully aware of the activities of paramilitary lenders. I know of the programme that he mentioned.…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolThe one thing that I am quite confident that I will not do is give a running commentary on the state of the negotiations or talks between the European Union and the UK Government.…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolAs the hon. Gentleman knows, I am a “glass half full” man, and I truly believe that a landing zone has been identified by all parties to aim for. Can I confirm a date? No. Can I…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolYes.14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillOn the Bill’s Second Reading in the other place, the Government announced their intention to introduce amendments in a number of key areas. These proposed changes reflect what we…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI can give my hon. Friend assurances of that type. That is why we proposed the changes set out by my ministerial colleague on Second Reading in the other place, which include…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillWhat my hon. Friend has identified in this very sad case is that the current mechanisms for addressing the past in Northern Ireland are providing positive outcomes for very few…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillFirst, I thank the hon. Gentleman for his continued interest. This is my third question time as the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and each time he has asked sensible…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: Assembly ElectionsSince being appointed in October, I have met a lot of representatives from European states, and the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr Baker) holds…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: Assembly ElectionsI think there is one group of people who should not lecture about not respecting democratic votes. However, this Government and, I believe, all parties in this place want to see…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland ExecutiveI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and his point, which is absolutely correct. May I also thank those working in the health service in Northern Ireland for the services…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: Assembly ElectionsI think— [ Interruption. ] I genuinely did not think the hon. Gentleman’s question was that good. He should maybe imbibe a bit of the Christmas festivities, because I think we…14 Dec 2022HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: Assembly ElectionsI can genuinely say to the hon. Lady that the atmosphere in the relationships between the European Union and the United Kingdom Government has changed dramatically in recent weeks…14 Dec 2022