Contributions
1,831 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDVictims of the Troubles: Payment SchemeWe urge all parties, where there are any, to set aside their political differences, and one party has been mentioned in this respect. We are quite clear that this is a matter for…08 Jun 2020HANSARDVictims of the Troubles: Payment SchemeThe noble Lord is right to point out matters on the definition. Of course, it is up to the independent board—it will and must be formed as soon as a department has been designated…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion Regulations: Northern IrelandI make it clear to my noble friend that the abortion regulations do not allow abortions on the grounds of sex selection. My noble friend may be aware that the UK Government…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion Regulations: Northern IrelandMy Lords, I totally agree with the noble Baroness that this is a very emotional subject. There have been debates in Parliament over the last few months, if not years. As the noble…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion Regulations: Northern IrelandIndeed, the noble Baroness is correct. Although health is devolved, the UK Government are giving every help they can to the health service in Northern Ireland. Once the…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion Regulations: Northern IrelandThere were several questions there, but I will answer two of them. First, the Attorney-General for Northern Ireland reports to the Northern Ireland Executive, not to the UK…08 Jun 2020HANSARDVictims of the Troubles: Payment SchemeThe noble Baroness is right. I am sure there is strong communication about what is going on at the moment; it is very much in the news anyway. It is important that communication…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion Regulations: Northern IrelandI am well aware of the vote last week, but I take my noble and learned friend back to October 2019, when the Assembly was not up and running. The UK Government were obliged to act…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion Regulations: Northern IrelandThe noble Lord is absolutely right. It is also consistent with the Abortion Act 1967 and compliant with CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion Regulations: Northern IrelandI totally agree that people have strongly held views on this matter. I reassure the noble Lord that the regulations can be amended in Northern Ireland, should that be wished in…08 Jun 2020HANSARDVictims of the Troubles: Payment SchemeI have every sympathy with what my noble friend has said. We are urgently waiting for the victims who apply for payments to have a so-called acknowledgment payment, which is…08 Jun 2020HANSARDVictims of the Troubles: Payment SchemeThe noble Lord is right in so many ways, but neither the Northern Ireland Office nor the UK Government will step in, because this is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland…08 Jun 2020HANSARDVictims of the Troubles: Payment SchemeThe noble Lord is right: we must put the victims of the Troubles at the forefront of what we are trying to do. However, I reiterate that it is up to the Northern Ireland Executive…08 Jun 2020HANSARDVictims of the Troubles: Payment SchemeI agree with the noble Lord that huge efforts must continue to be made to get this on track. I reassure him that funding is not the issue—it is not delaying this—and the UK…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion Regulations: Northern IrelandThe noble Lord is right that once the law is fully passed and the regulations come fully into law—I hope next Monday—it will give clarity and support not only to those at the…08 Jun 2020HANSARDVictims of the Troubles: Payment SchemeMy noble friend is right, and that is set down in the regulations. We know that Sinn Féin has said that it wants to look at redefining “victim”. However, it will know, and we…08 Jun 2020HANSARDVictims of the Troubles: Payment SchemeI cannot tell the noble Baroness how close we are to agreement; in fact I have no information to give the noble Baroness on this. I can only reiterate that the Secretary of State…08 Jun 2020HANSARDAbortion Regulations: Northern IrelandThis question very much focuses on the issue: the grounds for abortion. We must remember that what we are talking about is respecting and protecting the rights of women and girls.…08 Jun 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Victims Payment SchemeThose two questions were precise. I happened to listen to the speech of the noble Lord, Lord Hain, last night; like today, I was left in no doubt about the strength of feeling. I…03 Jun 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Victims Payment SchemeThe noble Lord is right. Different parties have been involved in this. I want to make it clear that the UK Government have played a strong role in taking this forward, and I…03 Jun 2020