Gavin Robinson
Main Page: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)Department Debates - View all Gavin Robinson's debates with the Northern Ireland Office
(2 years, 2 months ago)
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Conor Burns
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. In Northern Ireland we are determined that the celebration of this historic event will bring communities together. I have acknowledged previously in this House the words of the leader of Sinn Féin, who extended her congratulations to Her Majesty, saying that
“70 years is quite some achievement.”
This jubilee can be celebrated across communities and in every part of our United Kingdom, and we are determined that it will be.
Gavin Robinson (Belfast East) (DUP)
The Minister will recall that at Northern Ireland questions six weeks ago, he said that
“we will be marking this jubilee with full throttle, joy and celebration,”
and that he and the Secretary of State would be
“coming forward with some very innovative ideas”.—[Official Report, 9 March 2022; Vol. 710, c. 311.]
So far we have a hamper and the potential for an annual garden party. I do not want our celebrations to be lacklustre; I want the NIO to bring a level of sparkle and joy to the platinum jubilee celebrations. Is there more to the plans the Minister will unveil next week?
Conor Burns
I can assure the hon. Gentleman that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I, and the whole of the Northern Ireland Office, will be sparkling throughout the jubilee celebrations. We will be unveiling very shortly another very exciting proposal—a competition in Northern Ireland’s schools for something to be presented to Her Majesty on behalf of the young people of Northern Ireland. I assure the hon. Gentleman that he will not be disappointed, and I say that knowing that that is a very high bar to cross with the Democratic Unionist party.