Contributions
920 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillMy Lords, I have a large number of pieces of paper. If you will forgive me, I will just assemble them into an order I can make sense of. As it was at earlier stages, this has been…17 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillThere seems to be some discussion on this, but I have the answer to that as well. There is some debate on the exact number of weeks at which a foetus will be viable, but it is…17 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillThey are appreciated. We would not be in the same fit state without them. I beg to move.17 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillMy Lords, these amendments rationalise the clauses to make procedural provision in respect of each of the new regulation-making powers in the Bill, so they can be dealt with…17 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillMy Lords, I will not detain us for long. I think it is important to thank certain noble Lords, many of whom are in the Chamber tonight, but particular commendation should go to…17 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillIn response to the noble Lord, I am a scientist. On occasion I will use scientific words, and on this occasion I just did. That was snippy. I am sorry; that was not my intention.…17 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillIt is important to recognise here that we are not discussing the 1967 Act at all, I am afraid. That will not be moved across in any way. Right now, we are looking at a new regime…17 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill17 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillMy Lords, this has been a challenging discussion. I will be very clear. We have received from the other place an instruction on a free vote where it was a matter of conscience. No…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Murphy, said that Parliament is losing patience. It is more serious than that. The people of Northern Ireland are losing patience with this process.…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillI am fully aware of that, but I am also aware of how long there has been no government in Northern Ireland, and that that cannot continue. It cannot continue because there are…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillThe noble Lord again brings his experience to the debate. We cannot keep funding futility, however that manages to manifest itself. There will be consequences if we cannot move…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillThe noble Lord takes me into even deeper waters—and we are only in the first half hour of what may well be a long day. I understand the point he makes, of course; I appreciate…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillMy Lords, I expect that in years to come constitutional scholars will study this debate and explore many of the arguments. I suppose that it is my purpose to return us to what I…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillThe noble Baroness raised those points before. I say once again that the question of scope is not for this House; it was a question determined by the other place. On that point,…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillThe noble Baroness almost got me on that one, but she will not be surprised to know that I, too, will not be drawn on those matters. It is important, as we circle back to where we…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillIt would be easy to answer that in a simple way, but I suspect that tucked inside the question is a matter for greater constitutional scholars than I. I stand before noble Lords…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillMy Lords, this debate has stirred a great many emotions. We have heard very powerful speeches from all sides of the House. To ensure that there is no confusion, I will be very…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillI am loath to use the term “ruling” on this one, if I may be frank. I understand the noble Lord to be correct; the Sewel convention allows for not acting under normal…15 Jul 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation) BillMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Empey, for once again bringing these matters before us. Yes is the answer to the question; we will commit to report on each of these items.…15 Jul 2019