Contributions
418 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7My understanding is that a number of councils in Northern Ireland have put in place measures to deal with the issue, but as with many other issues that we are debating today, the…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7I agree with my hon. Friend’s summary of the work undertaken by the hon. Member for Swansea East (Carolyn Harris) on this issue. I would be very happy to meet her and others to…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7If I can, I will come to my hon. Friend’s point slightly later in my remarks. Since my appointment in July, I have met public servants from a range of sectors who are doing an…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7I honestly do not think that it is productive for me to get involved in pointing any fingers. I think I stated earlier in my speech that I view the lack of progress as being down…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7I am happy to restate that I do not think that any one party or any particular issue has held things up, but it is time that we move on. I call on each party to play its part in…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7There are some complex issues that need debate. I know that my hon. Friend has stood up steadfastly and consistently for victims of child abuse in Northern Ireland, and I hope…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7I commit to introducing the Bill in the coming weeks, and I am confident that we can do that. I accept my hon. Friend’s point that the age and the wellbeing of many victims means…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7My right hon. Friend knows that the Government, like the previous Government, view taking more decisions from Westminster with great caution. We respect the Good Friday agreement…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7My hon. Friend makes an important point. Again, we need to encourage Stormont to get up and running and we need to deliver on this legislation, and I believe that we can achieve…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7I thank my predecessor for those remarks, and I will take this opportunity to pay tribute to her for her relentless work to get the legislation to this stage. I am acutely aware…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7My hon. Friend speaks powerfully of the symbolism of the buildings, and it is important that we recognise that in this debate. I would be interested in discussing his proposals…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7I thank the House for what has been an exceptionally moving debate. I pay specific tribute to the survivors’ groups—SAVIA, Survivors (North West), the Rosetta Trust and Survivors…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7I think I have given an indication on timing. I am no longer a business manager. I am concerned, in this whole debate, to ensure that I do not make commitments that I cannot…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 7I will talk in my speech about how we hope to make progress. On the Floor of the House in July, the Government made plain their commitment to introducing legislation in the…30 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 3(2)On my last visit to Derry/Londonderry, I spoke about the medical campus, and we are working to ensure that we do everything we can in the Northern Ireland Office to support it.…09 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 3(2)I want to take care about prejudging the work that the Government have put in place, cross-Government. As my right hon. Friend is aware, the Prime Minister has set a new focus on…09 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 3(2)I think my right hon. Friend, who has spoken very persuasively on this issue for many years, makes some important points, but I return to the fact that the Government are looking…09 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 3(2)I accept the hon. Lady’s point, but I return to the fact that the ways to achieve the sorts of things that she is discussing are much more complex. The Government are committed to…09 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 3(2)I shall return that directness to the hon. Gentleman. If the parties get their act together, there can be a Northern Ireland solution to this issue. The challenge for the…09 Sept 2019HANSARD Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 3(2)I accept that these are highly emotive and sensitive issues. I accept that the House, having spoken, needs, wants and demands that we act. The consultation that my Department will…09 Sept 2019