Oral Answers to Questions

Angus Brendan MacNeil Excerpts

Wednesday 30th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[John Penrose]

I can confirm, as I have already mentioned, that the Derry/Londonderry and Strabane city deal discussions have begun, following my right hon. Friend the Chancellor’s announcement, and I am sure that everybody here hopes they will progress speedily and successfully.

[Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)]

We know that the business community in Northern Ireland does not want a hard border, so surely, if technology and connected promises do not avoid that, the backstop is an understandable insurance policy for Dublin and the European Union, as indeed the United Kingdom agreed in December 2017. Surely the Government will not be reneging on that promise, which is beneficial to business.

[John Penrose]

I keep coming back to it, but Parliament voted last night and a democratic consensus has been reached. We all need to respect that decision.