Written Question
Tuesday 17th November 2020
Asked by:
Lord Hay of Ballyore (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question
to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent comments by (1) Marks and Spencer’s, and (2) Sainsbury’s, about the impact of the UK’s departure from the EU on the supply and cost of goods in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie
- Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
The UK and the EU have committed to an intensified process of engagement to resolve all outstanding issues with the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which includes securing the flexibilities we need for trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. This is particularly important for supermarkets, where we have been clear specific solutions are required.
We will continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive as discussions continue with the EU through the Joint Committee process.
Written Question
Tuesday 13th October 2020
Asked by:
Lord Hay of Ballyore (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question
to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about business rates relief in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie
- Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
Business rates in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. Following the decision to provide rates relief in England as part of the Government’s response to Covid-19, the Executive also introduced rates relief for NI businesses. The measures taken by the Executive include:
- A four-month rates holiday for all NI business ratepayers between April and July this year;
- An extended rates holiday for the hospitality, tourism, childcare, leisure and retail sectors (with the exception of certain supermarkets and off-licences). These businesses will pay no rates for the full financial year up until 31 March 2021.
These measures were enabled by the £2.2bn of additional UK Government funding provided to the Executive as part of our response to Covid-19.
We have regular engagement with Executive ministers on a range of issues, including responding to Covid-19. We will continue to work closely with the Executive as we work to see Northern Ireland recover.
Written Question
Wednesday 5th August 2020
Asked by:
Lord Hay of Ballyore (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question
to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what financial assistance they have made available to the Northern lreland Executive to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie
- Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
The UK Government will provide at least £2.2 billion to the Northern Ireland Executive for 2020/21 to allow the Executive to respond to Covid-19.
This is in addition to the UK-wide measures that the people and businesses in Northern Ireland will benefit from, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme. This will give people and businesses the best possible opportunities to bounce back and recover.
Written Question
Tuesday 14th July 2020
Asked by:
Lord Hay of Ballyore (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question
to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the security situation in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie
- Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
The threat from dissident republican terrorism continues to be SEVERE in Northern Ireland. This Government’s first priority is to keep people safe and secure right across the United Kingdom. Terrorism, paramilitary violence and criminality have no place in Northern Ireland - they must not hold us back from progress towards a peaceful and prosperous future. The Police Service of Northern Ireland, MI5 and others who work to keep people safe have our full support for the public service they give.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 16 Jan 2020
Northern Ireland Executive Formation
"My Lords, like other noble Lords I welcome the Statement. The Minister has come to this House on a number of occasions with negativity on Northern Ireland. This is a very positive Statement, and I and my party see it as a new beginning for Northern Ireland. After three years …..."Lord Hay of Ballyore - View Speech
View all Lord Hay of Ballyore (DUP - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Executive Formation
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 07 Jan 2020
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019: Section 3(5)
"My Lords, I am sure that all political parties in this House want to see the devolved institutions restored in Northern Ireland. Let us all hope that an accommodation can be reached to restore the institutions in the next number of days. However, whatever accommodation is reached, it must be …..."Lord Hay of Ballyore - View Speech
View all Lord Hay of Ballyore (DUP - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019: Section 3(5)
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 28 Oct 2019
Northern Ireland: Devolved Government
"My Lords, Northern Ireland has now been without a Government for more than 1,000 days. I know the Minister continually comes to the House to update it on the progress of those talks. With the current round of talks with the political parties in Northern Ireland ongoing, can he tell …..."Lord Hay of Ballyore - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 28 Oct 2019
Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Bill [HL]
"My Lords, like other Members of this House, I support the Bill before us this afternoon. I welcome the fact that the Minister is very aware of the urgency in dealing with this issue. There is unanimity around the House on trying to get this Bill over the line sooner …..."Lord Hay of Ballyore - View Speech
View all Lord Hay of Ballyore (DUP - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Bill [HL]
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 28 Oct 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019: Section 3(5)
"My Lords, perhaps I may pick up on the issue of the university. This goes back to the early 1960s and the whole expansion of the university in the city of Londonderry. A strange situation seems to be developing now around the medical school, which is really part of the …..."Lord Hay of Ballyore - View Speech
View all Lord Hay of Ballyore (DUP - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019: Section 3(5)
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 28 Oct 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019: Section 3(5)
"I should say to the Minister that there is total political support in the city for this scheme...."Lord Hay of Ballyore - View Speech
View all Lord Hay of Ballyore (DUP - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019: Section 3(5)