Contributions
396 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillMy Lords, I thank the Minister for introducing the Bill—although I think all of us are unhappy that there is a need for it to be here at all. I echo his tribute to Sir Anthony…10 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Trauma VictimsMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Hain, is to be commended for his tenacity on this issue. He is obviously well versed in it, and the Minister has always been sympathetic. Time is…27 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Inter-party TalksDoes the House recognise that the upturn in support for the Alliance Party in the recent elections demonstrates that there is a mood in Northern Ireland for reconciliation and…20 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Historical Institutional Abuse InquiryMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Empey, is to be credited for his persistence on this issue. I concur with him that neither this House nor the other is preoccupied at the moment. I…13 Jun 2019HANSARDDevolved Administrations: 20th AnniversaryMy Lords, this has been a fascinating debate, not least because of the wide range of contributions from noble Lords who have actively participated in all aspects of devolution…22 May 2019HANSARDSchools: British Sign LanguageTo ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to introduce British Sign Language into the school examination curriculum.22 May 2019HANSARDSchools: British Sign LanguageI thank the Minister for that helpful reply, and I declare an interest as the father of a profoundly deaf daughter and as holding an honorary position on a number of charities for…22 May 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland UpdateMy Lords, I too thank the Minister for repeating the Statement, which is extremely welcome. The fact that the Irish and British Governments have taken the initiative to move these…29 Apr 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Extension of Period for Executive Formation) Regulations 2019My Lords, the Minister may feel that there is an element of Groundhog Day about this debate—but that was a comedy and this situation is becoming increasingly tragic. I echo all…10 Apr 2019HANSARDScotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2019I echo what the noble and learned Lord, Lord Hope, has said. This is the way we hope things will work with a devolved Parliament and Administration but where there is shared…10 Apr 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Extension of Period for Executive Formation) Regulations 2019Indeed—we lost the SDLP and the Alliance in the House of Commons, and that absolutely adds to the problem. We have to recognise that, as does the Secretary of State. Frankly, she…10 Apr 2019HANSARDFlags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019At the end insert “but this House regrets that the draft Regulations are unnecessary as there is no value in prohibiting the flying of flags in Northern Ireland on Europe Day,…03 Apr 2019HANSARDFlags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019My Lords, I thank the Minister for his introduction and for the update after the debate we had in Grand Committee last week. He said then that he thought there were only a small…03 Apr 2019HANSARDFlags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply, which, as always, was thoughtful and courteous and took full account of the arguments. He was constructive in his response to the…03 Apr 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what new proposals they are considering to facilitate co-decision making on United Kingdom matters between the Government and the devolved…25 Mar 2019HANSARDFlags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019Not content.25 Mar 2019HANSARDFlags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019I am not clear from the Minister’s initial remarks whether he is saying that the flag may be flown this year. First of all, if the longer departure date occurs, we will still be a…25 Mar 2019HANSARDFlags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019My Lords, the Minister may be disappointed and surprised to learn that we do not support this statutory instrument. We think it undesirable and unnecessary. None of us can deny…25 Mar 2019HANSARDFlags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019It is wrong.25 Mar 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsI hope that that will have a positive outcome, but will the Minister take note of a publication today by the Institute for Government entitled Ministers Reflect on Devolution ? If…25 Mar 2019