Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment his Department has made of ongoing negotiations with the EU on peace in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Conor Burns
Political differences in Northern Ireland, as throughout the whole United Kingdom, should be resolved peacefully and not used as an excuse for violence. The Government is clear that the Protocol's fundamental purpose is to uphold the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions - yet it is clear that it is undermining them all. Maintaining peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and protecting the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement will always be our top priority. We continue to focus on finding solutions to these issues and our preference remains a negotiated solution with the EU. The need for solutions is urgent.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to help ensure Northern Ireland's place in the Union.
Answered by Conor Burns
This Government is steadfastly committed to Northern Ireland’s integral place in the United Kingdom, and will never be neutral on the Union. We will continue to strengthen the Union by making Northern Ireland a better place to live and work for all parts of the community, and by building a stronger, more shared and inclusive society.
The Government firmly believes that the Union is strongest when all its people can see and feel its benefits in their everyday lives, and that is why we will continue to work tirelessly to deliver for Northern Ireland just as we are seeking to level up every part of this United Kingdom.
This is demonstrated through our commitment to invest over £3.5 billion across Northern Ireland via the New Deal for NI, City Deals, PEACE Plus and the financial package laid out in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, and our support for skills, communities and local infrastructure.
The Government also continues to work with partners to ensure Northern Ireland’s future is safe and secure, that there is equality of opportunity for all its people and to ensure an open and tolerant society for the benefit of everyone.