Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has had discussions with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland on (a) its consultation on inconsiderate pavement parking, which closed on 18 March 2022 and (b) when it plans to publish a response to the consultation.
Answered by Steve Baker - Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
Policy regarding pavement parking and its enforcement in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Infrastructure. Any decision around the publication of the results of the ‘Inconsiderate pavement parking - Options Paper’ and the potential implementation of its recommendations rest with the Department of Infrastructure.
A devolved power-sharing government, in line with the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, is the best way to deliver good governance and prosperity in Northern Ireland. It is vital that the Northern Ireland Executive is restored so that locally elected representatives are in place to continue important policy development relating to issues such as parking and enforcement.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the compliance with the terms agreed under the (a) Belfast Agreement, (b) St. Andrew's Agreement and (c) subsequent bilateral agreements between the UK and Republic of Ireland of the Irish Government's steps to enforce border checkpoints between the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Answered by Robin Walker
The UK Government is committed to working with the government of Ireland on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. There have been regular discussions on how to achieve a joint approach, including between Ministers and officials from the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive, and from the Irish Government.
There is a determination to work together to ensure that measures safeguard the health and wellbeing of UK and Irish citizens, and abide by obligations under the Belfast Agreement and the Common Travel Area.
The enforcement of Covid restrictions in the Republic of Ireland is a matter for the Irish Government.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions his Department had with the Government of the Republic of Ireland prior to the imposition of border checks on the UK-Republic of Ireland border.
Answered by Robin Walker
Since the start of this pandemic, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met regularly with the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to coordinate the coronavirus response.
The Secretary of State and the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs recently chaired a conference call with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland Health Ministers to discuss the ongoing response to Covid-19 on the island of Ireland.
There has been no discussion of the imposition of checks in the Republic of Ireland. The enforcement of Covid restrictions in the Republic of Ireland is a matter for the Irish Government.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans the Government has to celebrate the centenary of the establishment of Northern Ireland in 2021.
Answered by Robin Walker
As outlined in New Decade, New Approach, the UK Government is committed to working alongside the restored Executive to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021 in a spirit of mutual respect, inclusiveness and reconciliation, in line with the principles for remembering.
We are committed to facilitating national recognition and international awareness of this significant anniversary, with opportunities for people to celebrate Northern Ireland and its integral place within the United Kingdom. We will mark the centenary in NI, across the UK, across the island of Ireland and internationally.
We intend to use a cross-Whitehall, collaborative approach to support and deliver projects to mark the centenary. Further details on these projects will be available shortly.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will allocate the additional funding announced by the Chancellor during Spending Round 2019 to compensate people affected by contaminated blood scandal.
Answered by Julian Smith
The contaminated blood scandal was a tragedy that has caused unimaginable pain and hurt to victims and their families.
The Infected Blood Inquiry is UK-wide and the Inquiry terms of reference include consideration of financial assistance across all the nations of the UK.
The Minister of State for Northern Ireland recently met with the Chair of Haemophilia NI to discuss the issue of support for victims in Northern Ireland.
However, this is a devolved matter and the allocation of the NI budget is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will increase the health conditions criteria for qualification under the blue badge scheme.
Answered by Julian Smith
This is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, and as such is the responsibility of the Department for Infrastructure. Information can be requested from the Permanent Secretary at DfI.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether it is the Government's policy that victims in Northern Ireland of the infected blood scandal deserve as a matter of urgency the same financial recognition as those in Scotland, England and Wales due to the scandal having taken place under direct rule; and if she will meet representatives from Haemophilia Northern Ireland to discuss their concerns.
Answered by John Penrose
I am happy to confirm that The Infected Blood Inquiry is UK-wide and includes Northern Ireland. The contaminated blood scandal was an appalling tragedy and I urge all victims from Northern Ireland, or family members of victims, to engage with the Public Inquiry and I acknowledge the work of Haemophilia Northern Ireland to support some of those affected to do this. The Inquiry terms of reference include consideration of the question of financial assistance, including for those in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps her Department takes to review the performance of commissioners on the board of Equality Commission.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland does not have a role in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s budget or assessing legal cases it may take.
Responsibility for the Equality Commission’s functions and powers is devolved. It is sponsored by the Executive Office, which approves its budget and monitors spend and performance, including the performance of the board.
The Executive Office appraises the performance of the Chief Commissioner, including how the Commission has delivered its statutory duties and functions. Individual Commissioners are appraised by the Chief Commissioner.
As the Commission operates independently from Government you may wish to write directly to the Commission’s Chief Executive, and Accounting Officer, on the matters relating to the use of resources.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much money the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has spent on supporting legal cases in which the claimant was unsuccessful in the last 10 years.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland does not have a role in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s budget or assessing legal cases it may take.
Responsibility for the Equality Commission’s functions and powers is devolved. It is sponsored by the Executive Office, which approves its budget and monitors spend and performance, including the performance of the board.
The Executive Office appraises the performance of the Chief Commissioner, including how the Commission has delivered its statutory duties and functions. Individual Commissioners are appraised by the Chief Commissioner.
As the Commission operates independently from Government you may wish to write directly to the Commission’s Chief Executive, and Accounting Officer, on the matters relating to the use of resources.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many legal cases the Equality Commission Northern Ireland lost in the last 10 years.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland does not have a role in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s budget or assessing legal cases it may take.
Responsibility for the Equality Commission’s functions and powers is devolved. It is sponsored by the Executive Office, which approves its budget and monitors spend and performance, including the performance of the board.
The Executive Office appraises the performance of the Chief Commissioner, including how the Commission has delivered its statutory duties and functions. Individual Commissioners are appraised by the Chief Commissioner.
As the Commission operates independently from Government you may wish to write directly to the Commission’s Chief Executive, and Accounting Officer, on the matters relating to the use of resources.