Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what professional fee payments have been made to the law firm A & L Goodbody by (1) the Northern Ireland Office, and (2) the Crown Solicitor's Office, in each of the last ten years for which figures are available.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
In the last 10 years the Northern Ireland Office has not made any fee payments to A & L Goodbody.
The Crown Solicitor’s Office works independently from Government and I suggest that the Noble Lord write to the Crown Solicitor directly requesting this information.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any areas of North–South cooperation were contained in the Belfast Agreement; how many additional areas of such cooperation are suggested in the EU–UK draft withdrawal agreement; and whether the parties involved in the Belfast Agreement will now be asked to consider any changes proposed by the EU.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Belfast Agreement, under Strand Two, outlined the areas for North-South cooperation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the Administrations, Northern Ireland and Ireland. The UK Government remains committed to the Belfast Agreement, as we have stated many times. Upholding the Agreement has consistently been, and will remain, at the heart of the UK’s approach as we negotiate our withdrawal from the EU.
The UK and EU have mapped out areas of cooperation that function on a cross-border basis, in line with the principles of the Belfast Agreement. We have identified over 140 areas of cross-border cooperation, demonstrating a wide range of cooperation across different aspects of the economy, public services, and the environment.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the comments by the Irish Premier that he has agreed with the Prime Minister "there will be no return to direct rule", whether they have decided that there will be no return to direct rule if a Northern Ireland Executive is not established.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
Political stability in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the UK Government. The Government remains focused on securing the resumption of devolved government and the formation of an Executive within the statutory timeframe of 27 March. It is not speculating on any other outcome.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what further active steps have been taken by the Republic of Ireland to demonstrate its respect for the different traditions in the island of Ireland since 10 April 1998, as provided for by paragraph 9 of the chapter on rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity in the Belfast Agreement 1998.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
These questions are a matter for the Irish Government.
However, it is my understanding that: the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, like the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, is a UN ‘A status’ accredited National Human Rights Institution, structured and operated in accordance with the Paris Principles; that the Republic of Ireland ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities in 1999; that the Republic of Ireland gave further effect to provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in domestic legislation through the European Convention of Human Rights Act 2003, and that since 1998 a number of pieces of legislation have been introduced in the Republic of Ireland including the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004.
The UK Government remains committed to reforming our domestic human rights framework. We will consider further the Bill of Rights once we know the arrangements for our EU exit and consult fully on our proposals in the full knowledge of the new constitutional landscape that will create. The UK has a proud tradition of respect for human rights which long pre-dates the Human Rights Act 1998.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Republic of Ireland has introduced equal status legislation since 10 April 1998 as provided for by paragraph 9 of the chapter on rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity in the Belfast Agreement 1998.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
These questions are a matter for the Irish Government.
However, it is my understanding that: the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, like the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, is a UN ‘A status’ accredited National Human Rights Institution, structured and operated in accordance with the Paris Principles; that the Republic of Ireland ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities in 1999; that the Republic of Ireland gave further effect to provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in domestic legislation through the European Convention of Human Rights Act 2003, and that since 1998 a number of pieces of legislation have been introduced in the Republic of Ireland including the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004.
The UK Government remains committed to reforming our domestic human rights framework. We will consider further the Bill of Rights once we know the arrangements for our EU exit and consult fully on our proposals in the full knowledge of the new constitutional landscape that will create. The UK has a proud tradition of respect for human rights which long pre-dates the Human Rights Act 1998.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Republic of Ireland has implemented enhanced employment equality legislation as provided for by paragraph 9 of the chapter on rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity in the Belfast Agreement 1998.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
These questions are a matter for the Irish Government.
However, it is my understanding that: the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, like the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, is a UN ‘A status’ accredited National Human Rights Institution, structured and operated in accordance with the Paris Principles; that the Republic of Ireland ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities in 1999; that the Republic of Ireland gave further effect to provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in domestic legislation through the European Convention of Human Rights Act 2003, and that since 1998 a number of pieces of legislation have been introduced in the Republic of Ireland including the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004.
The UK Government remains committed to reforming our domestic human rights framework. We will consider further the Bill of Rights once we know the arrangements for our EU exit and consult fully on our proposals in the full knowledge of the new constitutional landscape that will create. The UK has a proud tradition of respect for human rights which long pre-dates the Human Rights Act 1998.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Republic of Ireland has ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities as provided for by paragraph 9 of the chapter on rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity in the Belfast Agreement 1998.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
These questions are a matter for the Irish Government.
However, it is my understanding that: the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, like the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, is a UN ‘A status’ accredited National Human Rights Institution, structured and operated in accordance with the Paris Principles; that the Republic of Ireland ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities in 1999; that the Republic of Ireland gave further effect to provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in domestic legislation through the European Convention of Human Rights Act 2003, and that since 1998 a number of pieces of legislation have been introduced in the Republic of Ireland including the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004.
The UK Government remains committed to reforming our domestic human rights framework. We will consider further the Bill of Rights once we know the arrangements for our EU exit and consult fully on our proposals in the full knowledge of the new constitutional landscape that will create. The UK has a proud tradition of respect for human rights which long pre-dates the Human Rights Act 1998.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Republic of Ireland has established a Human Rights Commission with a mandate and remit equivalent to that within Northern Ireland as provided for by paragraph 9 of the chapter on rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity in the Belfast Agreement 1998.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
These questions are a matter for the Irish Government.
However, it is my understanding that: the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, like the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, is a UN ‘A status’ accredited National Human Rights Institution, structured and operated in accordance with the Paris Principles; that the Republic of Ireland ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities in 1999; that the Republic of Ireland gave further effect to provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in domestic legislation through the European Convention of Human Rights Act 2003, and that since 1998 a number of pieces of legislation have been introduced in the Republic of Ireland including the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004.
The UK Government remains committed to reforming our domestic human rights framework. We will consider further the Bill of Rights once we know the arrangements for our EU exit and consult fully on our proposals in the full knowledge of the new constitutional landscape that will create. The UK has a proud tradition of respect for human rights which long pre-dates the Human Rights Act 1998.
Asked by: Lord Kilclooney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the commitments in the Belfast Agreement 1998, what representations they have received from the Irish government about the continuing status of Northern Ireland as part of the UK.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
The Government has regular discussions with the Irish Government on a range of issues in accordance with the well-established three stranded approach laid out in the Belfast Agreement. As one of the negotiators of that Agreement, the Noble Lord is aware that Northern Ireland’s constitutional position is based on the principle of consent, which is fully supported by both the United Kingdom and Irish Governments.
The Belfast Agreement stated that “the present wish of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland, freely exercised and legitimate, is to maintain the Union and, accordingly, that Northern Ireland’s status as part of the United Kingdom reflects and relies upon that wish”. The Government has no reason to believe that there has been any change in this position.