Northern Ireland Assembly Election

Debate between James Brokenshire and Gregory Campbell

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)]

Does the Secretary of State agree that in the past months and years, problems, even major ones, have been resolved when all parties dedicated themselves to working through them? Yesterday, a Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister refused to be re-nominated; Sinn Féin have indicated that they will not nominate even after the election. Walking away is not a solution, but working through the problems most certainly is.

[James Brokenshire]

Division has existed in Northern Ireland in the past, and some people said then that it could not be bridged, yet Northern Ireland has shown what can be done. We need to reflect on Northern Ireland’s past, the political achievements reached, and the strengths of dialogue, discussion and bringing people together as we look to the future and at what can be achieved. I hope that we will see a return of devolved government.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between James Brokenshire and Gregory Campbell

Wednesday 7th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[James Brokenshire]

The Government stand by their commitments under the Belfast agreement and subsequent agreements. There are fundamental issues such as consent. I can say to the hon. Gentleman in terms that we will not do anything as part of the negotiations that unpicks or seeks to undermine those essential values contained in the agreements.

[Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)]

The democratic reverberations that have echoed around Europe since the end of June no doubt affect the Irish Republic as well. Will the Secretary of State ensure that the particular circumstances that exist in Northern Ireland regarding the border with the Irish Republic are at the forefront of his mind in negotiations as we go into 2018?

[James Brokenshire]

I can give the hon. Gentleman that assurance about the significance and importance of the border issue. A critical aspect of our approach is that we do not see a return to the borders of the past.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between James Brokenshire and Gregory Campbell

Wednesday 26th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

If I may say politely to the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr Campbell): spit it out succinctly, man.

[Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Does the Secretary of State acknowledge that over the past few months there have been reports from the retail trade in Northern Ireland of a veritable multi-million pound boom along the border in shoppers from the Irish Republic, and that we should do more to encourage that as business continues to make progress?

[James Brokenshire]

Yes, I have seen those reports. When I visited towns in and around the border area, they certainly underlined some of the growth in business opportunities that they were seeing—something we clearly warmly welcome.