Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government which department will answer questions on matters relating to the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Consistent with responsibility for the Windsor Framework, the Cabinet Office is responsible for the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024 overall. Any matters relating to the constitutional position of Northern Ireland or devolution would be for the Northern Ireland Office to answer.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Caine on 12 March (HL3032), to specify all the changes made to the protocol by the Windsor Framework; and whether Article 6 of the Acts of Union is affected by the protocol or the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government’s position on the Windsor Framework, and its interaction with Article 6 of the Acts of Union, is set out in full in the Command Papers of 27 February 2023 and 31 January 2024.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Caine on 4 March and with regard to paragraphs 54 and 65 of the relevant Supreme Court judgment, whether they can confirm that the inconsistency between the Acts of Union and the protocol was not at issue before the Supreme Court because the Government did not lodge any cross appeal from the Court of Appeal’s decision that such inconsistency existed.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Supreme Court clearly set out in its judgement of 8 February 2023 the issues it considered and its reasoning for reaching the conclusions it did.
The Government’s consistent position on these matters is set out in the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper, which is that the Windsor Framework (which replaced the old Protocol) applies entirely consistently with Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the United Kingdom, including as expressed in the relevant statute today.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they submitted any cross appeal on the finding of the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal in the matter of an application by James Allister and others that the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland created an inconsistency with Article 6 of the Acts of Union.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
In its judgement on appeal of this case on 8 February 2023, the Supreme Court did not make a specific determination on this point.
The Court rightly focused on the sovereignty of Parliament and affirmed, as Article Six of the Acts of Union itself recognised, ‘that it is the most fundamental rule of UK constitutional law’.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following publication of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper (CP 1021) on 31 January, when they intend to introduce legislation to fulfil the commitment in that paper to repeal all statutory duties relating to the 'all-island economy'.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I would refer the Noble Baroness to the answer I gave to Lord Dodds of Duncairn in response to WPQ UIN HL2621 on 23 February 2024.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their Command Paper Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January, what changes will be made to Articles 5–10 of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Command Paper ‘Safeguarding the Union’ builds on the progress under the Windsor Framework, strengthening the UK Internal Market and the Union into the long term. It remains the case that the decision as to whether Articles 5 to 10 of the Windsor Framework should continue to apply in Northern Ireland will be taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly later this year.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the case Angesom v the Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] NIKB 102, what assessment they have made of the finding in paragraphs 86 to 103 concerning the impact of Article 2 of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights on immigration in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is aware of the judgement in relation to this case. Article 2 of the Windsor Framework applies in respect of a diminution of a right, safeguard or equality of opportunity provision or protection covered by the relevant chapter of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights does not form part of domestic law anywhere in the UK, including Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much of the total costs incurred by the Police Service of Northern Ireland covering the visit of President Biden and other dignitaries to Northern Ireland during the commemoration of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement they have refunded.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
In line with the HMT Statement of Funding Policy, the UK Government has agreed to meet costs totalling £2.752 million towards the policing operation for President Biden's visit and other dignitaries to Northern Ireland during events to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.
The budget will be transferred to the Department of Justice for Northern Ireland to transfer to the Police Service of Northern Ireland at Supplementary Estimates 2023/24.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the statement of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in May that the money to redevelop Casement Park will be found, where is it envisaged such money will be coming from.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
EURO 2028 will highlight the enduring strength of the whole of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, through the unifying power of sport.
The UK Government is working closely with local partners in Northern Ireland on plans to deliver EURO 2028 events and to make sure EURO 2028 leaves a lasting legacy of football for all.
We will continue looking at those plans and business cases, to ensure we are making the best use of resources to support the success of EURO 2028. That is a process that will continue over this next period of preparations.
The UK Government is, of course, very conscious of delivering the best use of taxpayer funds, particularly at a time of budget challenges in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what was the outcome of the due diligence exercise undertaken by the Gaelic Athletic Association and Stormont officials after one of the developers involved with Casement Park, the Buckingham Group, went into administration.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Governance for the development of Casement Park, including matters regarding due diligence and the appointment of contractors, rests with the Northern Ireland Department for Communities and the Regional Stadia Development Programme Board. My department has no role in the Regional Stadium Development Board.