Contributions
132 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]I am so very glad that we are here today and that we are getting to the final stage of this process. It has been a battle throughout, not least for the many victims and survivors…05 Nov 2019HANSARD Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]I absolutely agree with all that my hon. Friend has said. I am so glad that this legislation for the victims and survivors of abuse is one of the last things that this House will…05 Nov 2019HANSARD Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]Absolutely. I was involved in this process right from the start, seven years ago. I pay tribute to the right hon. Peter Robinson and the late Martin McGuinness, because I was…05 Nov 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Budget BillDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that there is currently not only a lack of scrutiny and reactiveness, as outlined, but a lack of transparency? I have written to the head of the…30 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Budget BillDoes my right hon. Friend agree that this is an issue about which many people in all communities in Northern Ireland care very deeply? People are very concerned, because they do…30 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Budget BillDoes my right hon. Friend not agree that the issue about the pay of MLAs is ironic? We have raised an issue about political donations many times with the Secretary of State, and…30 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Budget BillGiven what the Minister has said, may I urge him to do two things? First, will he try to get clarification about this issue as quickly as possible? Right now, the many survivors…30 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Budget BillAs my hon. Friend is outlining, there is currently very limited decision making in Northern Ireland. However, he will have been very pleased, as I was, to hear the announcement…30 Oct 2019HANSARD Business of the HouseI echo the comments that have been made about the victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse. In the earlier debate, it was mentioned that the Bill might not be…30 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportI beg to move, That this House has considered Government support for the economy and innovation in Northern Ireland. First, may I say what a pleasure and privilege it is to serve…29 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportAbsolutely. Even when I saw that the debate was scheduled, I thought that I had jinxed the entire thing, and that it certainly would not be third time lucky. However, it is, and I…29 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportI thank my hon. Friend for that intervention, which was so good that I almost intervened on him. I absolutely agree. We have incredible companies. Politicians from all parties,…29 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportI absolutely agree. Later in my speech, I will come to the various aspects of our economy in Northern Ireland, and the particular issues, challenges and opportunities they face.…29 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportAs a member of the International Trade Committee, I am very aware of the opportunities, challenges and barriers that full participation in international trade entails. It will…29 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportI absolutely agree. Statistics released in recent days indicate that although we have had growth in the average wage, it has now slowed down, and there has been a slowdown at the…29 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportAbsolutely. The Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly were in a really good place to listen to businesses about their needs, and the challenges that they found when trying to…29 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportAbsolutely, and I—29 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportI will try to move on as swiftly as I can. I was coming on to the next section in my speech, which is on Brexit. Your comment is probably a good indication that I should not speak…29 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportI absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. However, I am getting a huge amount of pressure on my right from my hon. Friend the Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), who is very keen…29 Oct 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland Economy and Innovation: Government SupportI will not go into any more detail about what we have discussed. I thank all hon. Members who turned up and I apologise for the fact that they had to make short contributions. As…29 Oct 2019