Contributions
617 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandI am grateful to the noble Baroness. In recent days, I have reflected on the number of people who, for decades, told us that we could never proceed in Northern Ireland on the…16 May 2022HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandAs my noble friend rightly points out, the sufficient consensus rule has guided most political negotiations since the publication of the ground rules for political talks,…16 May 2022HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandIf the noble Lord will forgive me, I will not get drawn into the history of this.16 May 2022HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, who asked me quite a number of questions there. She will know that, like her, I was a very strong supporter of the Belfast/Good…16 May 2022HANSARDGreat Britain and Northern IrelandMy Lords, thanks to the brevity of those who have taken part in this debate, I seem to have rather more than the 12 minutes allotted to me. If the Committee will indulge me, I…07 Apr 2022HANSARDThe Future of the Northern Ireland AssemblyIn preparing for this question, I would never have anticipated in a million years that the noble Baroness would have raised the protocol. She is aware of the Government’s position…30 Mar 2022HANSARDThe Future of the Northern Ireland AssemblyIn respect of the constitutional position of Northern Ireland, the noble Lord, Lord McCrea, will be aware of my very strong unionist convictions and my strong personal support for…30 Mar 2022HANSARDThe Future of the Northern Ireland AssemblyMy Lords, the Government’s assessment is that the future of the Northern Ireland Assembly should not be affected in any way by any decision arising from my right honourable friend…30 Mar 2022HANSARDThe Future of the Northern Ireland AssemblyI am tempted to give my noble friend a one-word answer, which is yes. However, I assure him, if he needs assuring, that this Government believe, head, heart and soul, in the…30 Mar 2022HANSARDThe Future of the Northern Ireland AssemblyMy Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Ritchie of Downpatrick, and I completely agree with her points. In respect of the elections, of course people ought to be…30 Mar 2022HANSARDThe Future of the Northern Ireland AssemblyI am grateful for the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Rogan, regarding duties under Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act. He will be aware that…30 Mar 2022HANSARDThe Future of the Northern Ireland AssemblyI thank the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, for his question and for the constructive and bipartisan manner in which he approaches this issue, and many others, when it comes to Northern…30 Mar 2022HANSARDThe Future of the Northern Ireland AssemblyI completely understand the strength of feeling of the noble Baroness, Lady O’Loan, on this issue, and her very long-standing interest in it. I cannot pre-empt the outcome of the…30 Mar 2022HANSARDThe Future of the Northern Ireland AssemblyMy noble friend—my Whip—makes a very important point. The commitment set out in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 is that the commission services in Northern…30 Mar 2022HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandI of course take on board the noble Baroness’s comments. We are willing to look at any pragmatic solutions to this, although I would caution that negotiations on the protocol are…03 Mar 2022HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, before responding to the debate, as I am the first Northern Ireland Office Minister to be at the Dispatch Box in either House since the tragic death of Christopher…03 Mar 2022HANSARDNorthern IrelandThe noble Lord might be aware that, more than two years ago, when the protocol was being negotiated, I asked questions from the Back Benches. Those are a matter of record. Rather…07 Feb 2022HANSARDNorthern IrelandMy Lords, the resignation of the First Minister of Northern Ireland is deeply disappointing. The Secretary of State has spoken to the Northern Ireland party leaders and the Irish…07 Feb 2022HANSARDNorthern IrelandI would have to double-check, but that is not my understanding.07 Feb 2022HANSARDNorthern IrelandMy Lords, I am very grateful to my noble friend. Unfortunately, I do not share his characterisation of the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill,…07 Feb 2022