Northern Ireland: Political Developments Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Scotland Office
Tuesday 28th March 2017

(7 years, 7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Dunlop Portrait Lord Dunlop
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

As the discussions are ongoing I do not want to talk about what must necessarily be confidential discussions. However, I know of the noble Lord’s long-standing interest in this subject and would merely reiterate that there has been progress on these issues in the immediate preceding period.

Lord Howell of Guildford Portrait Lord Howell of Guildford (Con)
- Hansard - -

My Lords, the Statement spoke about the parties coming together to deal with the Brexit situation. Is it, as a matter of fact, the position that the people of Northern Ireland still have the statutory right to organise a referendum on their constitutional position, unlike Scotland which does not have that right unless it is granted? Is that now the legal position? I declare an interest as a Minister who took the original Northern Ireland referendum Bill through the House of Commons in 1972.

Lord Dunlop Portrait Lord Dunlop
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Under the Belfast agreement, arrangements are set out for the circumstances in which a border poll could be held. However, the Secretary of State has made it clear that the conditions for such a poll are not currently satisfied.