Asked by Lord Lexden To ask Her Majesty’s
Government what provision has been made for the continuing
operation of devolved powers in Northern Ireland. The Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office and Scotland
Office (Lord Dunlop) (Con) My Lords, following the...Request free trial
Asked by
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To ask Her Majesty’s Government what provision has been
made for the continuing operation of devolved powers in
Northern Ireland.
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern
Ireland Office and Scotland Office (Lord Dunlop)
(Con)
My Lords, following the resignation of last week, the
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has proposed a date
for elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 2 March
in accordance with his responsibilities under relevant
legislation. As the Secretary of State made clear in
Parliament yesterday, Northern Ireland needs strong and
stable devolved government to continue implementing the
Belfast agreement and its successors and to respond to the
opportunities and challenges ahead.
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(Con)
My Lords, this is a grave moment for part of our
country—our precious United Kingdom, as the Prime Minister
described it yesterday. The people of Northern Ireland must
surely be at the forefront of our thoughts on all sides, in
both Houses of Parliament, at this time. Will the
Government confirm that it is within the framework of the
union, and that alone, that the rebuilding of political
stability in Northern Ireland will take place? Will this
Conservative and Unionist Government now give a clear
commitment that the Irish Republic, a close and respected
neighbour, will not be given an enhanced role in Ulster’s
affairs, and there will be no moves whatever towards joint
authority over Northern Ireland?
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My Lords, first, I take this opportunity to wish John Hume
a happy 80th birthday today. As the House will know, he,
along with my noble friend . was awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize for his role in the 1998 Belfast agreement. My
noble friend raises an important
point. I can confirm that the Government remain fully
committed to the Belfast agreement, including the principle
of consent governing Northern Ireland’s constitutional
position. It is on that basis that Northern Ireland is, and
remains, a full part of the United Kingdom. Clearly, any
form of joint authority would be incompatible with the
consent principle. The Government’s priority remains to
work intensively to ensure that, after the Assembly
elections, strong and stable devolved government is
re-established in Northern Ireland.
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(Lab)
Why is it that the Government give the distinct impression
of being hands-off rather than hands-on during this
escalating crisis? Clearly, the parties, since their
relations have deteriorated so terribly, are not going to
sort this out on their own, even after an election. It is
vital that the Secretary of State and the Prime Minister
convene meetings—whether summits or other gatherings—to
bring the parties together, and that they do so with the
Taoiseach as well. Regardless of joint sovereignty
arguments, which are irrelevant in this, the Irish
Government are very influential, must be brought in, and
are a partner in the Good Friday agreement.
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I do not accept the premise of the noble Lord’s question.
Both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for
Northern Ireland have been very actively engaged in talking
to the Taoiseach and the parties in Northern Ireland. We
will continue to leave no stone unturned to ensure that we
are in the best possible position after the election to
re-establish a fully functioning Executive.
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(CB)
The Minister will be aware that just before this major
crisis broke, the Northern Ireland Office issued a document
on the issue of the donations to political parties, which
are private and secret matters in Northern Ireland, for
very good historic reasons. It is now calling for a
consultation, giving the impression that it wants to review
policy in this area. Does the Minister agree that, in fact,
it is the suspicions in and around donations related to
this great financial scandal which complicate the matter?
Will the Northern Ireland Office carry on this work despite
the fact that there are many other grave matters at this
time?
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I agree very much with the noble Lord that this is an
important matter. Indeed, the Secretary of State for
Northern Ireland wrote recently to all the political
parties in Northern Ireland to seek their views on it by 31
January, so that we are in a position to move forward with
this once we have had the election.
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(Lab)
My Lords, it is a well-known fact that it can never be too
early to start discussions regarding problems and issues in
Northern Ireland. Notwithstanding the fact that an election
will now take place, can the Minister confirm whether the
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is willing to consult
with all political parties in Northern Ireland during the
election process, so as to pave the way, hopefully, for that
Assembly to operate, once it is elected?
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I do think that it is important to keep open the lines of
communication with the parties throughout the election period
for precisely the reason that the noble Lord gives. We need
to have an open dialogue so that we are in the best possible
position to re-establish a strong and stable devolved
Government after the poll in a few weeks’ time.
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(Con)
My Lords, will this hiatus allow the Government to take
forward in any way the legacy package of the Stormont House
agreement? Former police officers went out to serve in
Northern Ireland to protect both sides of the community and
are being prosecuted disproportionately compared to the
terrorists whom they were protecting the community from.
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I very much agree with my noble friend. The current situation
is unsatisfactory and it remains a priority for the
Government to build a consensus on this issue and to find a
way forward. The Stormont House agreement provides a
framework for reform and the new institutions and will, we
believe, provide a fairer, more balanced and proportionate
way forward.
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