Contributions
439 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPolice Ombudsman for Northern Ireland: Legacy CasesIt is good to be under your capable hand, Mr Owen, because it ensures that we stay just on the right side of any court case rules and do not prejudice anything. You have been…26 Mar 2019HANSARDPolice Ombudsman for Northern Ireland: Legacy CasesThat brings me neatly on to a point that I think everyone agrees on: it is essential that we all mark our support for the principle behind the office of the police ombudsman. If…26 Mar 2019HANSARD Exiting the European Union (Armorial Bearings, Ensigns and Flags)I am delighted that both sides of the House are willing to support this motion, which is very helpful. It is always better for things that tread on contentious ground to be…20 Mar 2019HANSARD Exiting the European Union (Armorial Bearings, Ensigns and Flags)I beg to move, That the draft Flags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 25 February, be approved. I am delighted to…20 Mar 2019HANSARD Exiting the European Union (Armorial Bearings, Ensigns and Flags)Yes I do, and we are only able to do this without going through that process because it is just a change to the Europe Day regulations. It is a change that is consequent on us…20 Mar 2019HANSARD Exiting the European Union (Armorial Bearings, Ensigns and Flags)The hon. Gentleman is right that it causes concerns and I doubt that many people will automatically and instinctively know or understand the various different lists of regulations…20 Mar 2019HANSARD Exiting the European Union (Armorial Bearings, Ensigns and Flags)May I ask the hon. Gentleman to hold fire for a second? I will deal with his question and endeavour to ensure that I have answered it, but I am sure that if I do not, he will come…20 Mar 2019HANSARDEU Withdrawal Agreement: Backstop ProtocolMy right hon. Friend asks what discussions the Secretary of State has had with Cabinet colleagues about the Irish backstop. The short answer is, a lot. The country and this…06 Mar 2019HANSARDEU Withdrawal Agreement: Backstop ProtocolMy right hon. Friend raises a creative potential legal solution, which he discussed in an Adjournment debate two weeks ago. The whole House will know that the Attorney General is…06 Mar 2019HANSARDEU Withdrawal Agreement: Backstop ProtocolI suspect that is well above my pay grade. I am sure we would all want to hear what the Attorney General and the Prime Minister have to say when it comes to the meaningful vote…06 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) BillSome people will have done very well out of this scheme, but I think the House will have a great deal more sympathy with those who have received below the average. I think that is…06 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) BillI will try to address a series of specific points that various Members have made during the course of this debate. I will also try to address some of the broader questions, some…06 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) BillThe right hon. Gentleman said that he was not quite sure why burning wood was any better than burning other things, because the emissions are similar. If my hon. Friend the Member…06 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) BillI am very happy to address that point. There is one thing that I know a number of people have found shocking. In fact, the right hon. Member for East Antrim (Sammy Wilson)—I am…06 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) BillI will come to the hon. Gentleman in a minute, if I may. I remind Members that although the scheme as it was originally conceived was supposed to have an average return of 12%,…06 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) BillI will take interventions in a moment, but I want to finish this point. The costs are paid for by taxpayers, and by rate payers in Northern Ireland as much as by anybody else. It…06 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) BillI am delighted to be able to set the record straight. I think that I have already mentioned this, but perhaps I can expand on it: the point about the buy-out scheme is that it…06 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) BillWe will have to come back to the question of how to get more evidence into the room, as it were, but I will try at least to answer some of the questions that have been raised…06 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) BillThere is an old saying that if you want something to be kept secret, you announce it on the Floor of the House of Commons and nobody will pay a blind bit of attention. I am trying…06 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) BillI think the answer to the hon. Lady’s question is yes. I have not actually seen the figures—the ones published in May—but we will endeavour to clarify that and get them out there…06 Mar 2019