Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill provides for (1) salaries, (2) secretarial expenses, and (3) travelling expenses, to be credited to Members of the Legislative Assembly during the proposed 24 week extension period for filling Ministerial offices.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill does not make any provision in respect of the salaries, secretarial expenses and travelling expenses of Members of the Legislative Assembly during the proposed 24-week extension period for filling Ministerial offices
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the Belfast Agreement, (2) the involvement of the Republic of Ireland in the internal affairs of Northern Ireland, (3) Northern Ireland’s status as part of the UK, and (4) human rights in (a) Northern Ireland, and (b) the Republic of Ireland.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
This Government remains steadfastly committed to the Belfast Agreement, including the political institutions it seeks to establish and the rights that it guarantees. The Agreement, along with its successors, has been the bedrock of the significant progress that has been made in Northern Ireland over the last 22 years. Any involvement of the Irish Government in the internal affairs of Northern Ireland remains consistent with the well-established three-stranded approach to Northern Ireland affairs in the 1998 Belfast Agreement.
The Agreement confirmed that whether Northern Ireland remains part of the UK depends on the consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland. Section 1 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, reaffirms that Northern Ireland is part of the UK and shall not cease to be so without the consent of its people.
While this Government’s clear preference is for Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom it has always made clear that, in accordance with the 1998 Agreement, it is for the people of Northern Ireland to decide. It remains the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland's view that a majority of the people of Northern Ireland continue to support Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom and that this is unlikely to change for the foreseeable future.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government who are the members of the Northern Ireland Centenary Historical Advisory Panel; and which organisations these members represent.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The establishment of the Centenary Historical Advisory Panel was announced by the Prime Minister in August. This Panel will provide advice to the Centenary Forum, and to the Government, on the historical facts of the centenary, and its work will be guided by the Principles for Remembering. The composition of the Centenary Historical Advisory Panel was confirmed in a press notice published on 9 October:
The composition of the Panel is shown below:
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government who are the members of the Northern Ireland Centenary Forum; and which organisations these members represent.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The establishment of the Centenary Forum was announced by the Prime Minister in August. It is composed of a wide range of perspectives and interests, ensuring diverse voices are heard as we mark this important national anniversary. The composition of the Centenary Forum and the Centenary Historical Advisory Panel was confirmed in a press notice published on 9 October:
Its composition is as follows:
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland last visited County Cork in the Republic of Ireland; and, on that visit, whether she was accompanied by staff from the Northern Ireland Office.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland last visited County Cork in the Republic of Ireland on Monday 11 June 2018 and was accompanied by staff from the Northern Ireland Office.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what professional fee payments have been made to the law firm A & L Goodbody by (1) the Northern Ireland Office, and (2) the Crown Solicitor's Office, in each of the last ten years for which figures are available.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
In the last 10 years the Northern Ireland Office has not made any fee payments to A & L Goodbody.
The Crown Solicitor’s Office works independently from Government and I suggest that the Noble Lord write to the Crown Solicitor directly requesting this information.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any areas of North–South cooperation were contained in the Belfast Agreement; how many additional areas of such cooperation are suggested in the EU–UK draft withdrawal agreement; and whether the parties involved in the Belfast Agreement will now be asked to consider any changes proposed by the EU.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Belfast Agreement, under Strand Two, outlined the areas for North-South cooperation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the Administrations, Northern Ireland and Ireland. The UK Government remains committed to the Belfast Agreement, as we have stated many times. Upholding the Agreement has consistently been, and will remain, at the heart of the UK’s approach as we negotiate our withdrawal from the EU.
The UK and EU have mapped out areas of cooperation that function on a cross-border basis, in line with the principles of the Belfast Agreement. We have identified over 140 areas of cross-border cooperation, demonstrating a wide range of cooperation across different aspects of the economy, public services, and the environment.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the comments by the Irish Premier that he has agreed with the Prime Minister "there will be no return to direct rule", whether they have decided that there will be no return to direct rule if a Northern Ireland Executive is not established.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
Political stability in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the UK Government. The Government remains focused on securing the resumption of devolved government and the formation of an Executive within the statutory timeframe of 27 March. It is not speculating on any other outcome.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what further active steps have been taken by the Republic of Ireland to demonstrate its respect for the different traditions in the island of Ireland since 10 April 1998, as provided for by paragraph 9 of the chapter on rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity in the Belfast Agreement 1998.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
These questions are a matter for the Irish Government.
However, it is my understanding that: the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, like the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, is a UN ‘A status’ accredited National Human Rights Institution, structured and operated in accordance with the Paris Principles; that the Republic of Ireland ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities in 1999; that the Republic of Ireland gave further effect to provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in domestic legislation through the European Convention of Human Rights Act 2003, and that since 1998 a number of pieces of legislation have been introduced in the Republic of Ireland including the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004.
The UK Government remains committed to reforming our domestic human rights framework. We will consider further the Bill of Rights once we know the arrangements for our EU exit and consult fully on our proposals in the full knowledge of the new constitutional landscape that will create. The UK has a proud tradition of respect for human rights which long pre-dates the Human Rights Act 1998.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Republic of Ireland has introduced equal status legislation since 10 April 1998 as provided for by paragraph 9 of the chapter on rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity in the Belfast Agreement 1998.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
These questions are a matter for the Irish Government.
However, it is my understanding that: the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, like the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, is a UN ‘A status’ accredited National Human Rights Institution, structured and operated in accordance with the Paris Principles; that the Republic of Ireland ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities in 1999; that the Republic of Ireland gave further effect to provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in domestic legislation through the European Convention of Human Rights Act 2003, and that since 1998 a number of pieces of legislation have been introduced in the Republic of Ireland including the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004.
The UK Government remains committed to reforming our domestic human rights framework. We will consider further the Bill of Rights once we know the arrangements for our EU exit and consult fully on our proposals in the full knowledge of the new constitutional landscape that will create. The UK has a proud tradition of respect for human rights which long pre-dates the Human Rights Act 1998.