Oral Answers to Questions

Rachel Hopkins Excerpts
Wednesday 24th July 2024

(2 days, 13 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Hilary Benn Portrait Hilary Benn
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I hope very much that sport will be a force for unity in Northern Ireland, rather than a source of division. When it comes to the health service, the hon. Gentleman makes a very powerful point. The state of the NHS in Northern Ireland, with the longest waiting lists in the United Kingdom, is a function, if I may say so, of decisions that the Executive have failed to take over many years. The people of Northern Ireland want to have a better health service, and that needs the plan to which the new Health Minister is committed.

Rachel Hopkins Portrait Rachel Hopkins (Luton South and South Bedfordshire) (Lab)
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Does the Secretary of State agree that we would not be in the final minutes of extra time on whether Casement Park can be rebuilt in time for the Euros if the previous Government had actually done something about it after we were awarded host status a year and three quarters ago?

Hilary Benn Portrait Hilary Benn
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I agree with my hon. Friend. The facts speak for themselves: a year and three quarters since we were awarded the wonderful opportunity to host the Euros, nothing has happened on the project.