Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Economy Minister on using Northern Ireland's ultra fast broadband capability to expand the business sector.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is leading the way for gigabit-capable broadband across the UK with over 90% coverage, made possible by substantial UK Government funding.
Digital connectivity is vital for stimulating economic growth, which is why the Chancellor has announced that the Government will be investing over £500 million in 2025-26 to drive the rollout of digital infrastructure across the UK, including in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when the first meeting of InterTrade UK will take place.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
I confirmed the appointment of Baroness Foster as the chair of Intertrade UK on 19 September and work is continuing to appoint the remaining members of the body. We will announce these appointments and further details - including the timing of the first and subsequent meetings - in due course.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when his Department last reviewed the (a) structures, (b) weaponry and (c) capability of (i) loyalist and (ii) republican terror groups in Northern Ireland; and if he will publish that review.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The ‘Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland’ report was published in 2015 by the UK Government in order to provide a one-off factual assessment from the UK security agencies and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on the structure, role and purpose of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland. This public assessment, which was intended to inform the then ongoing cross-party talks, has not been repeated.
The PSNI and UK security agencies continually assess the threat, risk and harm posed by paramilitary, terrorist and organised crime groups to inform the most appropriate operational response. The threat from Northern Ireland Related Terrorism (NIRT) is assessed by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), after MI5 passed over responsibility earlier this year. JTAC keeps the Threat Level in Northern Ireland from NIRT under constant review and formally reviews it twice a year. However, the threat is wholly driven by violent Dissident Republicans who reject the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), and not by Groups that support the GFA.
The Chief Constable’s statement of 30 October was clear that the PSNI, alongside security partners “continually assess the threat, risk and harm posed by paramilitary, terrorist and organised crime groups to inform the most appropriate operational response.”
Rightly, any criminality or threat - by individuals or groups, loyalist or republican - will be investigated by the PSNI and those responsible will be brought before the courts.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has for the (a) establishment and (b) work of the Castlereagh Foundation.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 contains provisions for the Establishment of the Castlereagh Foundation. The Executive Office is responsible for taking forward the necessary arrangements to implement the commenced provisions under this Act. The Government expects the Executive Office will make an announcement in due course regarding next steps on implementation of the legislation. The Government wants to see devolved institutions in Northern Ireland consider the provisions set out under the legislation themselves before any consideration of using or commencing the powers provided for in section 8 of the Act.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner will be a full time post.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government recognises the dedicated service of all our veterans and is committed to supporting the veteran community across the whole of the UK.
A recruitment process for a new Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner was launched on 16 October. Details about the role can be found on the usual public appointments websites and in the local press.
Similar to the National, Scottish and Welsh Veterans’ Commissioner appointments, this is not a full-time position.
We are hopeful that the recruitment process can be completed to allow the announcement of a new Commissioner towards the end of the year.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress he has made on the establishment of the Castelreagh Foundation.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
I am currently considering the next steps in support of our commitments to the Castlereagh Foundation following the publication of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Answer of 19 July 2023 to Question 194133 on Golf: Portrush, whether he is taking steps with the Northern Ireland Executive to help increase economic opportunities during the Open Championship in Royal Portrush in 2025.
Answered by Steve Baker
The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2025 is an outstanding opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland’s exceptional tourism offering, stunning scenery and state-of-the-art golfing facilities. These are just a few of the many reasons that Northern Ireland is a great place to live, work and invest.
Economic growth, sport and tourism are all devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. The Secretary of State, Lord Caine and I continue to work closely with the Ministers for the Economy and Communities to ensure that Northern Ireland is well placed to maximise the plethora of opportunities that the Championship, and other sporting spectacles, will bring to Northern Ireland’s hospitality and tourism sectors.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) stakeholders on the timelines for the announcement of capital requirements for the stadia for the Euro 2028 Championships.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
EURO 2028 is a fantastic opportunity for the UK and Ireland to showcase world class sport as hosts. The UK Government is continuing to work closely with relevant stakeholders including with regards to host stadia for EURO 2028.
The Government remains committed to ensuring EURO 2028 leaves a lasting legacy across the UK
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will take steps to ensure that the public are aware of the deadline for backdating an application to the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme is due to close for new applications in August 2026. The Scheme is a devolved matter and communications are the responsibility of the Victims Payments Board.
The Board have recently conducted a communications campaign to raise awareness of the scheme, including key milestones such as the closing date for new applications.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he is taking steps to prepare for potential legal challenges to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 after the commencement of part 3 of that Act.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Challenges against the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 have been heard in the High Court in Northern Ireland. The Government welcomes the Court’s findings that the ICRIR is operationally independent from Government and has the necessary powers to carry out reviews in accordance with the state’s obligations with Articles 2 and 3 of the ECHR.
However, following consideration of all aspects of the judgment, the UK Government has lodged an application for an appeal with the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.
We remain committed to implementing the Legacy Act and delivering the ICRIR to provide better outcomes for victims and survivors of the Troubles by giving them more information about what happened to their loved ones.