Mar. 03 2025
Source Page: NI Secretary meets with Windsor Framework Monitoring PanelMar. 03 2025
Source Page: Appointments to the Board of the International Fund for IrelandMar. 03 2025
Source Page: UK Government boosts digital collection of world’s oldest English language daily newspaperAsked by: Ashley Fox (Conservative - Bridgwater)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether there are any requirements for civil servants to book a desk in advance in order to attend the office in person in each of (a) their Department's office workplaces and (b) the arm’s length bodies of their Department.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Office employs a desk booking system for its offices in London and Belfast. This must be used to book desks in advance of intended attendance, or on the same day. Information on desk booking services for arm’s length bodies, which are not co-located in the department's two main offices, is not centrally held.
Feb. 28 2025
Source Page: Intertrade UK kickstarts drive to boost tradeAsked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a comparative assessment of the cost to the public purse for (a) inquiries and (b) legal proceedings relating to (i) the deaths of four men following the use of lethal force in County Tyrone in February 1992 and (ii) other lethal incidents involving the IRA from the same period.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The cost of public inquiries will differ according to the scope of each Inquiry. The cost of legal proceedings will also differ substantially according to the scope of each case. It is not therefore possible to provide an accurate comparative assessment of the cost to the public purse of those respective undertakings.
The Northern Ireland Office’s spend on legal costs is included within our Annual Report and Accounts, although we do not differentiate between legal costs we incur and costs we pay to claimants’ lawyers. Costs for public inquiries are published by the Inquiries themselves.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has taken steps to promote the use of the Ulster-Scots dialect.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022, including those provisions which allow for the establishment of an Irish Language Commissioner and a Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition. In May 2023, the Government commenced the provisions in the Act required for the Executive Office to begin to progress work in relation to these appointments. The Government expects the Executive Office will make an announcement in due course regarding next steps on implementation of the legislation.
This week, the Government commenced Section 5 of the Act which places a duty on the Department of Education in Northern Ireland to encourage and facilitate the use and understanding of Ulster Scots in the education system
My officials continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on this, and I look forward to implementation of the Act which will enshrine respect and tolerance for Northern Ireland’s traditions.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he plans to take steps with the Northern Ireland Executive to support the use of Ulster-Scots.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022, including those provisions which allow for the establishment of an Irish Language Commissioner and a Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition. In May 2023, the Government commenced the provisions in the Act required for the Executive Office to begin to progress work in relation to these appointments. The Government expects the Executive Office will make an announcement in due course regarding next steps on implementation of the legislation.
This week, the Government commenced Section 5 of the Act which places a duty on the Department of Education in Northern Ireland to encourage and facilitate the use and understanding of Ulster Scots in the education system
My officials continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on this, and I look forward to implementation of the Act which will enshrine respect and tolerance for Northern Ireland’s traditions.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the implementation of Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2533 and Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 on (a) businesses selling tumble dryers in Northern Ireland, (b) consumers buying tumble dryers in Northern Ireland and (c) Northern Ireland after 1 July 2025.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government is committed to increasing the environmental performance of energy-related products. In support of that, the Government will be consulting on adopting measures equivalent to Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2533 and Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 in domestic law. Subject to the outcome of that consultation, such measures would ensure a consistent regime across the UK.