Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Goggins Excerpts
Wednesday 30th June 2010

(14 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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We need to make somewhat faster progress.

Paul Goggins Portrait Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)
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I welcome the Minister to his post and wish him genuinely warm good wishes in his responsibilities. I also welcome the very good news that he and the Secretary of State have secured this additional £12 million from the reserve. That is vital funding and I congratulate them on obtaining it. I am sure that he will agree that the Independent Monitoring Commission has played a vital role in the political process and in the peace process in Northern Ireland. Now that devolution is complete, what role does he envisage for the IMC in the future?

Lord Swire Portrait Mr Swire
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I pay tribute to the right hon. Gentleman and I have heard nothing but good about his time in Northern Ireland as a Minister. He is a hard act to follow. To keep my answer short, in line with what you have just suggested, Mr Speaker, the IMC has, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, performed a sterling service. We and the Irish Government keep the continuing need for it under review.