Contributions
1,346 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderThe right hon. Member recounts some of the terrible murders, and I have myself met, as I am sure others have, the only survivor of the Kingsmill massacre and heard at first hand…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderI am grateful to my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour for what he has said. Having made this decision, I think all of us would recognise the need to get on with it as swiftly…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderFor one family, this now provides a process, but I am very conscious that many other families will say, “What about us?” That is why we need to find the most effective means to…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderI am grateful to the Opposition spokesperson for his opening remarks, and I will respond directly to his very legitimate questions. What is unique about this case—I apologise for…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderI am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman, who was such a distinguished holder of the office I now hold, for raising that point. Over the past three weeks, I have met a…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderAs I have already indicated, I will seek to establish the inquiry as quickly as possible. How long it will take is ultimately in the hands of the judge when he or she is appointed.11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderI am not, is the answer. I know that the hon. Member was slightly late in coming to the Chamber, and from the beginning I set out my thought process. He will have an opportunity…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderThe hon. Member has alluded to a number of cases. Of course, we are awaiting the final report on Operation Kenova, the interim report having been published early this year. I…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderI am sorry to have disappointed the hon. Member. As I indicated, having met the one survivor of the Kingsmill massacre, I have some appreciation of just what an appalling and…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for welcoming the inquiry, and I am very happy to give him and all Members of the House an assurance that as we develop our proposals, I am in…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderI thank the hon. Gentleman for his appreciative words. He alludes to a very, very unhappy history in this and many other cases. I do take the point made by the hon. Member for…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderThere should not be a hierarchy, and the right hon. Gentleman and I shared reservations with—indeed opposition to—the legacy Act because it did cut off lots of routes to justice.…11 Sept 2024HANSARDPatrick Finucane MurderWith permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement about the death of Patrick Finucane. Patrick Finucane was a human rights lawyer. On 12 February 1989, he was brutally…11 Sept 2024HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023I wish to provide an update to the House on the Government’s approach to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (the Act). The Government have today…29 Jul 2024HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act: RepealAs set out in the King’s Speech, the Government are committed to repeal and replace the legacy Act. As well as scrapping conditional immunity, we will set out steps to allow…24 Jul 2024HANSARDCasement Park: RedevelopmentI hope very much that sport will be a force for unity in Northern Ireland, rather than a source of division. When it comes to the health service, the hon. Gentleman makes a very…24 Jul 2024HANSARDCasement Park: RedevelopmentI think we all wish Armagh well in the all-Ireland final. The Executive are committed to the Casement Park project—it has been a commitment for over a decade now—but it has not…24 Jul 2024HANSARDCasement Park: RedevelopmentI would say to the right hon. Gentleman that I said this was a priority because a decision needs to be made. The fact is that the Government have inherited a commitment to hosting…24 Jul 2024HANSARDFirst Minister and Deputy First MinisterAs the hon. Gentleman knows, when we were in opposition, we supported the two statutory instruments and the Humble Address. We will set up the independent monitoring panel, and we…24 Jul 2024HANSARDFirst Minister and Deputy First MinisterI will readily give the hon. Member that assurance. I have met with all the party leaders, and the commitment to consultation that I have just given to my hon. Friend the Member…24 Jul 2024