Contributions
418 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionHaving been Government Chief Whip during most of the Brexit period, perhaps 1,000 days does not seem quite as bad to me as it does to others. However, it is an awfully long time…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionSince taking on this job, I have been meeting the parties almost on a weekly basis, but, as the hon. Gentleman acknowledged, this is an issue for the five parties. It is…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionAs I said at the start of my statement, we will be consulting on religious same-sex marriage and on the conversion of civil partnerships to marriages, but all other same-sex…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionAs I said earlier, the parties and individuals who will play a part in the Assembly and the Executive when they are up and running again are of extremely high quality. There is…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionI plan to review all elements relating to the Assembly if we are unable to move things forward over the coming days.21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionI agree with my hon. Friend.21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionAs the hon. Lady knows, the Joint Committee in the new protocol will look at all those matters. I expect them to be looked at over the coming months as we go through the…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionI have no plans to change the constitution, basis and set-up of the Assembly. However, I think that the lack of representation here—there are seven or eight constituencies…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionI am not disregarding the advice of anybody, but this is a deal that protects the border. This was a key priority for me as Secretary of State. It protects the peace process. I…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionI pay tribute to my right hon. Friend for that report and for his Committee’s thinking in this area. I am giving consideration to that report and how we can execute parts of that…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionI say again to my colleagues and friends in the DUP and to Unionists across this House and in Northern Ireland that this protocol is for a reserved matter; it is not for the…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionSinn Féin, like other parties, has been engaging very positively with me, and I have had good conversations with its senior leaders. As this House makes a positive decision on…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionAs Northern Ireland Secretary, I will be fighting for the interests of businesses and ensuring that we minimise any disruption to their trade flows. Northern Ireland has a hugely…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionI hope and expect that we will continue with that Bill to deliver for victims who have waited for far too long.21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionOn the issue of customs and the protocol, we will be doing everything to work with Northern Ireland businesses to ensure that we deliver on unfettered access as we push the Bill…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionI am not responsible for the European negotiations.21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionJust to be clear on the Assembly, the petition of concern and the arrangements for the Assembly will not change under this scenario. I will say it again: we need Sinn Féin, the…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionWe are prepared for all eventualities. On the issue of the all-party talks, I genuinely believe that, whether it is Sinn Féin or the DUP, we are not too far away. We have to do…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionThe Irish Language Act is one of a number of issues that are being discussed in the talks process. I would say again that the most important and the best way to resolve these…21 Oct 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Restoring DevolutionI have been very clear that no deal is not a good situation for the United Kingdom, particularly for Northern Ireland. Now that the Prime Minister has secured a deal, I hope that…21 Oct 2019