Contributions
1,346 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic ServicesI have not looked specifically at the social partnership model in Wales to which he refers, but I look forward to learning more about it; it sounds very interesting. As I have…26 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic ServicesI agree absolutely with my hon. Friend. Indeed, I discussed that with Mike Nesbitt, the Health Minister, when I met him recently. I asked him what support and help we can give…26 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic ServicesI share the concern that my hon. Friend expresses about the number of vacancies. The single most important thing that the Government have done is allocate for next year a record…26 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic ServicesI hope very much that the programme for Government will be agreed as soon as possible; it is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive, and I look forward to reading…26 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic ServicesI regularly meet Northern Ireland Ministers to discuss the shared challenges we face in improving public services, and the Government will do everything we can to help. Last week,…26 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic ServicesThat issue did not figure in the discussions I had recently with the NI Health Minister, but I have no doubt that it will do so in the future, and I will take the matter up.26 Feb 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023The whole House will have profound sympathy for all the victims of Gaddafi-sponsored IRA terrorism, and all the victims of the troubles. The Shawcross report was commissioned by…26 Feb 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023Because sections 46 and 47 of the Act were found to be unlawful, and, as the right hon. Gentleman will be aware, the case that gave rise to the attempt to deal with the problem…26 Feb 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023As I said during the last Northern Ireland questions, no one wants to see that happen. We are currently working to find a lawful way of dealing with the problems that were created…26 Feb 2025HANSARDIndependent Reporting Commission: Seventh ReportToday I am laying before Parliament the seventh report from the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC). The commission was established following the Fresh Start agreement in…25 Feb 2025HANSARDIndependent Monitoring Panel: Internal Market GuaranteeOn 19 September 2024, I announced the appointment of Aidan Reilly, Anna Jerzewska and Alastair Hamilton as members of the Independent Monitoring Panel. I would now like to provide…24 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestFurther to that point of order, Mr Speaker. That is a judgment for others to make, if that is the view they take. I accept that the right hon. Gentleman has made that point, but…11 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestI will only say to the right hon. Gentleman that the characterisation of the views that he attempts to attribute to me is incorrect, but I make no apology for telling the House…11 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestThere is no equivalence at all—none whatsoever—for the reasons that have been set out by Members in this exchange, following the question asked by the right hon. Member for Goole…11 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestI do not support a rewriting of the past either. Of course we should stand with our armed service veterans, which is what the Ministry of Defence does. I will say, however, that…11 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestThe right hon. Gentleman makes a fair point. Societies around the world that have faced terrible conflict have each taken their own path to try to find a way forward. The release…11 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestThe findings of the coroner in this case stand for themselves and are on the record, and all of us are able to read them. In answer to the hon. Gentleman’s direct question about…11 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his observations. The answer to his last question is: when parliamentary time allows. As soon as I am in a position to indicate when that…11 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his comments. I completely understand the concerns, which he has expressed with such passion, about our armed services personnel, including…11 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestThat is not the Government’s position. The Government’s position is indeed to stand behind our brave armed services personnel—11 Feb 2025