Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many reports on the operation of the Petition of Concern process in the Northern Ireland Assembly have been laid before both Houses of Parliament, in accordance with the commitment in Annex A of the New Decade, New Approach Agreement 2020, published on 8 January 2020, to lay such reports every six months.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The second report on the operation of the Petition of Concern process was published on 12 January 2021. It recorded that no Petitions of Concern have been lodged in respect of any motion in the Assembly since the previous report on 16 July 2020, and indeed, since the Executive was formed on 11 January 2020. The next report will deal with the period from 10 January 2021 to 11 July 2021.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what outstanding legislative commitments they have for Northern Ireland in respect of the New Decade, New Approach Agreement 2020, published on 8 January 2020; and when they expect that these will be fulfilled.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Good progress has been made in implementing the New Decade, New Approach deal, despite the huge challenge posed by the ongoing public health crisis.
The UK Government has released over £555 million of the £2billion of funding agreed in the deal, and has delivered multiple commitments including appointing a Veterans Commissioner, launching the Shared History Fund as part of our programme to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland, and establishing the governance structures that underpin NDNA. On 24 February, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland signed the Heads of Terms on the Derry/Londonderry and Strabane City Deal that will deliver tangible benefits to the North West and the whole of Northern Ireland.
The UK Government is working to deliver the next tranche of our commitments, such as progressing legislation on the sustainability of the institutions and reforms to the Petition of Concern mechanism.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their current assessment of the structure, roles and purpose of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
There was never and remains no justification for the existence of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. Responsibility for tackling activity by paramilitary groups or those associated with them, that have previously declared ceasefires rests with law enforcement and the devolved authorities. Both the Fresh Start and the New Decade, New Approach Agreements commit all relevant authorities to take a range of measures to tackle paramilitary activity, however that manifests itself. Updates on relevant activity to address this problem are provided to the Policing Board, the Department of Justice and the Justice Committee. The UK Government has the lead on paramilitary groups which have not declared ceasefires. These groups represent a SEVERE national security threat and although small and disparate, continue to show a reckless disregard for public safety. As a Government, we are committed to ensuring that our response to these groups and the harm these causes are robust and effective.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to update their assessment of the structure, roles and purpose of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, published on 20 October 2015.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
In 2015, the UK Government commissioned the Assessment of Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland in order to provide a factual assessment from the UK security agencies and the PSNI on the structure, role and purpose of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland.
As the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, made clear at the time, this assessment was specifically intended to inform then ongoing cross-party talks.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which ministers from the Northern Ireland Office attended the commemorative events held at Lisburn on 17 August to mark the 50th anniversary of Operation Banner.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
I have enormous respect for all those who served their country with distinction during Operation Banner. The UK Government was represented by Ministers at the following events to mark the 50th Anniversary of the start of Operation Banner:
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the Northern Ireland Office has taken to mark the 50th anniversary of Operation Banner.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
I have enormous respect for all those who served their country with distinction during Operation Banner. The UK Government was represented by Ministers at the following events to mark the 50th Anniversary of the start of Operation Banner:
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote to the people of Northern Ireland the benefits of Northern Ireland forming part of the UK.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
This Government has made clear on many occasions that we will never be neutral in expressing our support for the Union. Our steadfast belief is that Northern Ireland’s future is best served within a stronger United Kingdom.
The Government and this Department is fully committed to the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom. Our union is strongest when each of its constituent parts is strong and working together. We remain focussed on ensuring the interests of each nation are fully represented within our union, strengthening the links between our economies and continuing to deliver strong and sustainable devolution.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic benefits to Northern Ireland of being a part of the UK.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The UK Government believes strongly in upholding the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom - our four nations are safer, stronger and more prosperous together.
Northern Ireland benefits from being part of the world’s sixth largest economy. The UK’s integrated internal market means there are no barriers to doing business for companies and people trading across the nations within the UK – creating jobs and prosperity across the country.
Northern Ireland also benefits from the highest public spending per head (£11,190) in the UK - around 20% (£1,883) higher than the UK spend per head (£9,159).
Moreover, over half (53%) of all external sales from Northern Ireland are to the rest of the UK, and half of external visitors to Northern Ireland are from the rest of the UK, with a total of 1.4million visitors in 2018.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to strengthen Northern Ireland's place within the UK.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
This Government has made clear on many occasions that we will never be neutral in expressing our support for the Union. Our steadfast belief is that Northern Ireland’s future is best served within a stronger United Kingdom.
The Government and this Department is fully committed to the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom. Our union is strongest when each of its constituent parts is strong and working together. We remain focussed on ensuring the interests of each nation are fully represented within our union, strengthening the links between our economies and continuing to deliver strong and sustainable devolution.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether promoting the benefits to Northern Ireland of being part of the UK is one of the core functions of the Northern Ireland Office.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
This Government has made clear on many occasions that we will never be neutral in expressing our support for the Union. Our steadfast belief is that Northern Ireland’s future is best served within a stronger United Kingdom.
The Government and this Department is fully committed to the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom. Our union is strongest when each of its constituent parts is strong and working together. We remain focussed on ensuring the interests of each nation are fully represented within our union, strengthening the links between our economies and continuing to deliver strong and sustainable devolution.