To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Northern Ireland Office: Social Media
Thursday 10th March 2022

Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much his Department spent on social media advertising in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021 and (d) 2022 up to and including 28 February; and on which platforms that money was spent.

Answered by Conor Burns

The Northern Ireland Office regularly publishes a breakdown of departmental spending as part of our transparency publishing commitments. These publications cover invoices with a value of £25k or more. This includes spend on campaign advertising, covering social media advertising.

Please see the NIO Transparency Data November 2020 for an item on campaign advertising spend.


Written Question
Terrorism: Social Media
Wednesday 21st July 2021

Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

What recent discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) representatives of social media platforms on tackling sectarian abuse and incitement online.

Answered by Robin Walker

Online abuse is an issue that affects all four nations of the United Kingdom and it is important that we work together to keep people safe from such abuse.

In May, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport published its draft Online Safety Bill. The Northern Ireland Department of Justice, who have lead responsibility in Northern Ireland for tackling sectarian abuse and incitement online, has been engaged in this work.


Written Question
Trade Agreements: Northern Ireland and Holyhead
Wednesday 21st April 2021

Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

What steps he is taking to increase trade flows between Northern Ireland and Holyhead.

Answered by Robin Walker

The Government is committed to strengthening the Union and Northern Ireland’s place within it. Increasing trade flows between the four nations of the UK is a key part of that strategy.

That is why the unfettered access protections for qualifying businesses on arrival in Great Britain will apply whether goods are moved directly to Great Britain or indirectly via Ireland - meaning unfettered access whether goods leave Belfast for Cairnryan, or Dublin for Holyhead.

Further to this, the Union Connectivity Review will make recommendations on whether and how to best improve connectivity across the UK.

The interim report identified a ferry route between Warrenpoint and Holyhead as being of further interest to the Panel, to be explored further, so I look forward to seeing the final report.