Northern Ireland Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office
Tuesday 15th September 2015

(9 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Theresa Villiers Portrait Mrs Villiers
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I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Prime Minister remains constantly engaged in these matters. He is updated all the time, and he has played a hugely positive role in delivering many things in Northern Ireland recently, not least the legislation on devolving corporation tax, which he championed for many months. We should bear in mind that it is important to scrutinise the new leadership of the Opposition. The track record of the attitude of the right hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) and the shadow Chancellor on IRA violence is very worrying, and I make no apologies for challenging them in the House on such matters.

Tom Pursglove Portrait Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)
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In the absence of elected ministerial leadership, what decision-making or interim processes will be put in place in individual Northern Ireland Departments?

Theresa Villiers Portrait Mrs Villiers
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Such matters will clearly have to be discussed in the talks, but whatever process is ultimately set up, we must take into account the point that my hon. Friend has made.