Northern Ireland: Devolved Government Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Scotland Office

Northern Ireland: Devolved Government

Baroness Smith of Basildon Excerpts
Thursday 22nd February 2018

(6 years, 8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Duncan of Springbank Portrait Lord Duncan of Springbank
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

In response to my noble friend I will happily say that the Belfast agreement is an imperative, essential element of the Government’s policy, and I have no desire for that celebration to fall without an Executive.

Baroness Smith of Basildon Portrait Baroness Smith of Basildon
- Hansard - -

I am happy to give way to hear from the DUP.

Lord Browne of Belmont Portrait Lord Browne of Belmont
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, it is clear that in the coming weeks, regrettably, Northern Ireland will not have a functioning Assembly or Executive at a time when decisions will have to be made on the details of managed divergence between trade regulations in the UK and the EU. Can the Minister assure me that, given the absence of local political representation, the Government will arrange for discussions as soon as possible with representatives of the business and farming community in Northern Ireland to ascertain their concerns and, if possible, take steps to address them?