All 1 Debates between Hilary Benn and Emily Darlington

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Hilary Benn and Emily Darlington
Wednesday 24th July 2024

(5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Emily Darlington Portrait Emily Darlington (Milton Keynes Central) (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

14. Whether he has had discussions with the Irish Government on UK-Ireland relations.

Hilary Benn Portrait The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

A fortnight ago, the Minister and I met the Tánaiste Micheál Martin in Hillsborough, where we discussed strengthening relations between our two Governments, given the importance of our relationship with Ireland. The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach also held a bilateral meeting ahead of the European Political Community meeting last week.

Hilary Benn Portrait Hilary Benn
- View Speech - Hansard - -

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the company that she mentioned and the products that it produces. We are committed to protecting the integrity of the UK internal market, so that great firms in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland are able to sell right across the United Kingdom and internationally. Northern Ireland in particular has extraordinary opportunities and so much potential, which we need to build on. One of the most important contributions that the Executive can make is to ensure stability, because that is what investors are looking for.

Emily Darlington Portrait Emily Darlington
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his position, and I hope that he will be able to rebuild those relations that were strained through the Brexit process. Small and medium-sized business in Milton Keynes Central have gone under because of the additional paperwork and restrictions caused by our strained relations with the EU. Will he confirm that he is talking to the Irish Government and others about how to reduce those barriers to trade?

Hilary Benn Portrait Hilary Benn
- View Speech - Hansard - -

There is no doubt that the change in our trading relationship with the European Union has brought additional costs and paperwork for businesses, whether they are selling to the EU or into Northern Ireland. The Windsor framework is the means by which we are trying to manage that. I supported the Windsor framework, negotiated by the previous Government, because it represented an important and significant step forward. The reason why we have to continue to implement it is because if we are going to get the veterinary and SPS agreement, and other agreements we are seeking with the European Union—