Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Ireland concerning the proposal to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023; whether they have held such meetings with the main political parties in Northern Ireland; and, if so, when.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government continues to undertake discussions on specific measures to be included in primary legislation; this includes with the Northern Ireland parties and bilateral discussions with the Irish Government. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland last met party leaders to discuss legacy matters on the 3 and 4 June 2025.

At the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in April, both the UK and Irish governments expressed a desire to reach agreement on a joint approach to addressing legacy issues. These discussions remain constructive, and we continue to work intensively with a view to reaching a formal agreement. This was highlighted by the Prime Minister’s recent constructive call with the Taoiseach on 18 July.

The effective participation of both the UK and Irish governments in a legacy process is vital if we are to provide as many families as possible with the information and accountability that they have long sought.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce legislation to prevent those interned in Northern Ireland during the Troubles from being eligible for compensation following the repeal of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023; and, if so, when.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

As the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has set out previously in answers to the Honourable Member for Stockton North and the Honourable Member for Reyleigh and Wickford (UIN 63126 and 65213), the main issue here is the application of the Carltona principle in the context of ICOs. The previous Government’s attempt to address this following the 2020 Supreme Court judgment in Adams was found by the Northern Ireland courts to be unlawful and we need to find a better way of reaffirming this principle.

The Government will therefore legislate to address this issue in forthcoming primary legislation when Parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the comments of the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission regarding the independence of the Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery and the Commissioner for Investigations.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government has confidence in the ability of the Independent Commission’s leadership and staff to effectively deliver for victims and survivors. The Court of Appeal has recognised the ICRIR’s structural independence and wide powers.

However, the confidence of families in the Commission’s work is paramount and that is why the Government is committed to reforming the Commission to further strengthen its powers and independence, as well as to ensure that legacy mechanisms are compliant with human rights obligations.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Horticulture Working Group has reported on the movement of seeds to consumers in Northern Ireland from Great Britain as set out in Safeguarding the Union (CP1021); if so, what assessment they have made of the report and its proposed solutions; and what action they have taken in response to each proposed solution.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Horticulture Working Group identifies and seeks to resolve issues related to the movement of plants and seeds between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. The Group has not provided the Government with a formal report; however, it has discussed the options and requirements for the movement of seeds to consumers in Northern Ireland. The options and requirements are published through guidance on GOV.UK.

The Group has also discussed the expected benefits of the UK-EU SPS Agreement. Once finalised, it will remove a broad and wide-ranging set of SPS and agri-food requirements for goods and plants moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what has been the total expenditure on air travel since 5 July 2024 between Great Britain and Northern Ireland for: (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; (2) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and (3) Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Since 5 July 2024, the total cost of expenditure on air travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is £17,972.56, for the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State it is £12,483.01. My total air travel expenditure is £817.27.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the independence of (1) the Chief Commissioner and (2) the Commissioner of Investigations, both of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government has confidence in the ability of the Independent Commission’s leadership and staff to effectively deliver for victims and survivors. The Court of Appeal has recognised the ICRIR’s structural independence and wide powers.

However, the confidence of families in the Commission’s work is paramount and that is why the Government is committed to reforming the Commission to further strengthen its powers and independence, as well as to ensure that legacy mechanisms are compliant with human rights obligations.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to ensure that she exercises her duties impartially in relation to unionism and Irish nationalism, particularly in respect of the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is independent of Government and has a statutory duty to ensure government and other public bodies protect the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met the Chief Commissioner to discuss a range of issues, including the Government’s approach to legacy reform. Northern Ireland Office officials have also met representatives of the Commission to discuss legacy matters.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what engagement they have had with the Federation of Small Businesses about their report Windsor Framework Realities, published on 24 June.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland discussed the findings of the report at the East West Council in June, which was attended by representatives of Intertrade UK who are also considering the report as part of their work to promote trade across the UK. The Government has engaged extensively with Northern Ireland businesses and representative organisations like the Federation of Small Businesses on the implementation of the Windsor Framework. We will continue to do so, including in relation to the report in question.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Gaelic Athletic Association to ensure that Gaelic Athletic Association sporting competitions, particularly for young people, are not named after terrorists.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Everyone has the right to celebrate their culture but they should do so in a respectful and lawful manner. Sport has the unique ability to bring people together and it ought to be something which unites rather than divides us.

Any allegation of glorifying terrorism is an operational matter for the PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland, both of which are independent of government.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will attach conditions to the funding for the Casement Park project; and whether these will include not using taxpayer-funded sports grounds for competitions named after terrorists.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK Government has committed £50m of Capital Financial Transactions funding to help the Northern Ireland Executive to redevelop Casement Park. However, it is up to the Executive to decide how to implement the development of the stadium.

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