Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what its policy is on deciding whether to consult stakeholders in Northern Ireland on changes to European Union legislation which are imposed on Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government regularly consults with stakeholders in Northern Ireland on a wide range of policy issues, including those relating to the Windsor Framework.
Regulations that apply under the Windsor Framework are also subject to scrutiny both in Parliament and, as provided for in law, in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Government will continue to uphold these scrutiny commitments, which include the provision of explanatory materials on amended or replaced EU legislation which is included in the annexes to the Framework.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many staff are employed by the Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel; and how many times the body has met since it was created.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 18 March 2025 (UIN 38339).
In accordance with paragraph 160 of the Safeguarding the Union command paper, a Secretariat is provided by the UK Government to the Panel, and the Panel receives relevant data to support its monitoring functions. The Panel does not directly employ staff.
It is a matter for the Panel to determine the structure and cadence of its meetings and panellists regularly engage with each other as well as having recently met the Secretary of State on 3 March.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what resources they are providing to the working of the Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 18 March 2025 (UIN 38339).
In accordance with paragraph 160 of the Safeguarding the Union command paper, a Secretariat is provided by the UK Government to the Panel, and the Panel receives relevant data to support its monitoring functions. The Panel does not directly employ staff.
It is a matter for the Panel to determine the structure and cadence of its meetings and panellists regularly engage with each other as well as having recently met the Secretary of State on 3 March.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how and when they intend to respond to the passing of the Regulation (EU) 2023/2411 Applicability Motion in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government continues to evaluate the implications of Regulation 2023/2411, in the light of the applicability motion vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the conditions set out in Schedule 6B of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have created the £10 million fund to boost investment in strategically important ports linking Northern Ireland and Great Britain as set out in Annex B of Safeguarding the Union (CP 1021); and if not, why not.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Safeguarding the Union command paper was clear that the commitment ‘to propose the creation of a dedicated fund worth £10 million to support infrastructure development, including green growth opportunities at a small number of strategically important NI ports’ would be carried out in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Executive and Northern Ireland ports.
We are considering how the aim of supporting infrastructure development can be achieved in the most impactful way across the UK - including as part of the Government’s Growth Mission and Infrastructure and Industrial Strategies.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to showcase the opportunities for investment in Northern Ireland's defence and shipbuilding industries.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government recognises the vital and unique contribution made by Northern Ireland's defence and shipbuilding industries to UK national security. We are committed, as set out in Safeguarding the Union, to further including Northern Ireland companies in the UK defence network.
The Government recently announced a successful outcome in the negotiations over the future of Harland and Wolff. The commercial deal by Navantia is a significant investment in the UK's industrial base and will ensure delivery of the Ministry of Defence’s Fleet Solid Support programme.
We intend to showcase Northern Ireland’s thriving defence sector’s skills, industry, expertise and infrastructure through the ongoing Industrial Defence Strategy led by the Ministry of Defence. This will include sending signals that enhance the incentives for long-term investment in the UK in order to encourage private investment alongside public money.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to support the digitisation and exhibition of "media and historical archives that reflect the richness and diversity of traditions in Northern Ireland", as described in Annex B of Strengthening the Union (CP1021).
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government has made good progress towards supporting the digitisation and exhibition of media and historical archives that reflect the richness and diversity of traditions in Northern Ireland, as set out in Annex B of the Safeguarding the Union command paper, and intends to provide a further update on this work in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times the East–West Council has met since its formation.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The East-West Council has met once since its formation on 26 March 2024. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland hopes to announce the next meeting shortly.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have refreshed any training materials or programmes on the Belfast Agreement and successor agreements for the Home Civil Service and the Diplomatic Service to reflect (1) commitments made in Safeguarding the Union (CP 1021) and (2) the fact that Strand One of the Belfast Agreement relates to Northern Ireland-only institutions.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I can confirm that the Government has refreshed training programmes and materials for both the Home Civil Service and the Diplomatic Service on the Good Friday Agreement and successor agreements, as set out in the Safeguarding the Union command paper. The new training materials are currently being rolled out across the UK Government.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in facilitating collaboration between the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Civil Service to support the transformation programme in Northern Ireland and improve the delivery of public services; and which government department is responsible for this work.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government is committed to resetting relationships with the devolved Governments.
While public services are the responsibility of the Executive, we want to be a supportive partner. In the Northern Ireland Office, we are working to promote greater collaborative working between the UK Government and the Executive so that we can deliver improvements for the people of Northern Ireland.