Northern Ireland: Devolved Government Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Browne of Belmont
Main Page: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Browne of Belmont's debates with the Scotland Office
(6 years, 6 months ago)
Lords ChamberMy Lords, it is clear that in the coming weeks, regrettably, Northern Ireland will not have a functioning Assembly or Executive at a time when decisions will have to be made on the details of managed divergence between trade regulations in the UK and the EU. Can the Minister assure me that, given the absence of local political representation, the Government will arrange for discussions as soon as possible with representatives of the business and farming community in Northern Ireland to ascertain their concerns and, if possible, take steps to address them?
I thank the noble Lord for his comments. I have already put in place meetings with the NFU in Northern Ireland and with various fishing interests. No voice can go unheard at this important time, and we must ensure that those voices ring crystal clear in the decisions which the Government must take.