John Bercow
Main Page: John Bercow (Speaker - Buckingham)Department Debates - View all John Bercow's debates with the Northern Ireland Office
(10 years ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Mrs Villiers
I agree with my hon. Friend that there are many people who will suffer as a result of the announcements in recent days in relation to delays in legacy matters and criminal justice in Northern Ireland. That is an important reason to press ahead with a fresh approach on the past, to be agreed through the cross-party talks, but it is also a crucial reason for the Executive to agree a budget and to make sure that they give appropriate priority to the need for police resources when they reach that agreement.
Mr Speaker
May I just gently point out to the House that we have a lot of questions to get through and we need to speed up?
David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP)
2. What the geographical remit will be of the recently announced panel to discuss parading disputes in Northern Ireland.
Mrs Villiers
The Government take their obligations under the devolution settlement very seriously, but there is no escaping the fact that this is a matter for the political parties in Northern Ireland to decide, and that choice has consequences. As the hon. Gentleman said, the decision by the two nationalist parties to reject the NCA’s remit means criminals not arrested, assets not seized, and victims suffering.
Mr Speaker
Order. These are very important matters appertaining to Northern Ireland. Let us have a bit of quiet for Lady Hermon.
Lady Hermon (North Down) (Ind)
Thank you, Mr Speaker. That was very gracious of you.
In the absence of the operation of the National Crime Agency in Northern Ireland, what steps are this Government taking to ensure that Northern Ireland does not again become a honeypot for human traffickers, drug traffickers and other gangs of organised criminals?