Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 20 June (HL Deb, col 835), whether the issues relating to institutional child abuse in Northern Ireland have been resolved; and if so, when legislation will be introduced to provide compensation for the victims and their families.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made it very clear that she is determined to see redress for victims of historical institutional abuse as soon as possible. That is why she asked the NI parties to assist her in critical decisions that needed to be taken with regard to the redress scheme and other matters.
The parties addressed those outstanding issues, and the Executive Office is currently working with the Office of the Legislative Counsel to redraft the legislation in light of the parties’ recommendations.
When the legislation has been revised, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will consider the best way forward and the next steps as a matter of urgency.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the report of the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry will be published.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
Sir Patrick Coghlin is leading the report into the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and has stated that no date has yet been set for publication. As the inquiry was established and is being supported by the Department of Finance, my Noble Friend should direct further queries about the inquiry to the Permanent Secretary of that Department.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 19 March (HL Deb, col 1408), when the written statement on the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme will be laid.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The written statement to which the Noble Lord refers is in relation to the Department for the Economy (DfE) in Northern Ireland’s commitment to establishing an RHI Hardship Unit. The Department has been working to make progress in establishing the Terms of Reference and setting up of the panel, which will have an independent Chair. A call for evidence in relation to the form and function of the unit will shortly be released, and will close at the end of June. This will inform the Terms of Reference of the Unit. I will await the outcome of that before updating the House on progress. DfE anticipate that the panel will begin to accept applications in September 2019.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when details of donations and loans made to political parties in Northern Ireland after January 2014 will be published.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Transparency of Donations and Loans etc. (Northern Ireland Political Parties) Order 2018 introduced transparency around donations and loans to political parties in Northern Ireland from July 2017. The date set in the legislation for introduction of the transparency regime followed a consultation process and represented a broad consensus across the Northern Ireland political parties.
The Government has no plans in place to legislate to facilitate the publication of pre-2017 data. We are committed to undertaking an operational review to consider all aspects of the operation of the donation and loans systems in Northern Ireland, to review whether there might be a case for further reforms.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Independent Reporting Commission will publish its first annual report.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), established by the UK and Irish Governments, was legally constituted in August 2017. It is required to report annually on progress towards ending paramilitary activity including the implementation of the relevant measures by the UK and Irish governments and the NI Executive’s action plan. I expect the first annual report to be published prior to August 2018.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 24 October (HL1962), whether they will set a date for the formal conclusion of their talks with the Northern Ireland political parties on the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The priority of the Government remains the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland. We continue to work with the parties and support them in their efforts to reach an agreement which will enable the formation of a Northern Ireland Executive. This involves keeping under continuous review the most effective means of encouraging progress.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in their talks with the Northern Ireland political parties on the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein are continuing talks aimed at reaching agreement to restore the devolved, power-sharing institutions at Stormont. The UK Government, working with the Irish Government in accordance with the three-stranded approach, continues to support these and all other efforts aimed at securing the reestablishment of inclusive, devolved government at Stormont.