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536 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillI will deal with that more fully, but for now I will say that the trade that matters the most to Northern Ireland is with our biggest partner, Great Britain. That is the source of…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillI agree absolutely. We already see the consequences. [ Interruption. ] Again, this seems to be a matter of humour to some on the Government Benches. Increasingly, we see that GB…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillI will make some progress. I will be as generous as I can with interventions, because I know that Government Members want to talk this Bill out—and, because they are not…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillI absolutely agree. The fascinating point is the very concept was articulated from and originated within the EU itself. During the early stages of the negotiations, Sir Jonathan…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillI will give way to the hon. Member in a moment, because I have mentioned her. How can the hon. Member, who calls herself a Social Democratic and Labour Member, look her…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillI acknowledge the hon. Member’s speech, but let me say this: it is no stunt to ask, on behalf of my constituents, for what every other part of this United Kingdom has—the right to…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillI will when I have dealt with some other points. That is an assault upon the sincerity and efficacy of those who dare to say, “If we are part of the United Kingdom, we need to be…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillThe late Lord Trimble was absolutely right about that. What is happening on Tuesday is an invitation to the Assembly, courtesy of the Government’s directive, to tear up the key…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillI remind the Minister that the magical thinking came from the EU itself, through Jonathan Faull and his colleagues, who made that very suggestion. And why would what I suggest not…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillThat is absolutely right, and in Northern Ireland we suffer the consequences of those aggressive political agendas every day. If the Government are saying, “This is fine; there is…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillI only wish that the laws for Northern Ireland were made in this Parliament, or in our devolved institutions. If the hon. Member has been listening at all, surely he has…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillIf the deal was reached under false pretences—if it was reached in breach of international law, because it breached respect for territorial integrity—yes, the first thing this…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillI would rather give way to the Minister on that issue, but I hear no answer. The House has been patient as I have laid out the arguments for the Bill. I see the Bill as an…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillThe hon. Member has recited what some might have thought were erudite contributions in support of these arrangements, apparently with the insinuation towards the end that we have…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillHow else would the hon. Member describe a scenario in which a huge quota of laws are made in a foreign jurisdiction? How else would he classify that than as colonialism?06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillWill the Minister give way?06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillIs the Belfast agreement not an international treaty subject to international law? Is it okay to breach that agreement when it comes to its provision of every key decision being…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillDoes the hon. Member not accept that a fundamental element of the jurisprudence of international law in this area is the requirement that any such agreement must not infringe the…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillWhat the hon. Member seems to be saying is that if the United Kingdom decides to acquiesce in—indeed, support—the infringement of its own territorial integrity, that is all right.…06 Dec 2024HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) BillDoes the hon. Member think that there is such a thing as breach of trust when it comes to relations within the United Kingdom? Are the citizens of this United Kingdom entitled to…06 Dec 2024