Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the UK.
Answered by Lord Caine - Shadow Minister (Northern Ireland)
The Government is resolutely committed to the Union and will take every opportunity to promote Northern Ireland’s integral place within it as we have said many times, while always upholding the consent principle we will never be neutral on Northern Ireland's position within our United Kingdom.
During this centenary year for Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, the Government has proudly celebrated the contribution of Northern Ireland’s people, culture, traditions and enterprise to our Union and the world.
The record settlement for Northern Ireland in the Spending Review demonstrated the clear benefits of the Union, with £15 billion per year in funding alongside investment through the New Deal, City and Growth Deals and the New Decade, New Approach financial package.
Together, this investment will deliver greater prosperity and stronger public services for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland. All of this underlines the enormous benefit Northern Ireland gains from being part of the fifth largest economy in the world.
The Government will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the benefits of levelling up are felt across the United Kingdom, and to make Northern Ireland an even better place to live, work and invest within it.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure the protection of veterans who served in Northern Ireland while ensuring that the implementation of any such protection does not result in those responsible for terrorist offences evading justice.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
The Government has been clear that it will deliver on its commitments to NI veterans as part of a wider package to address the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland.
As set out by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland last week, the Government’s proposed package focuses on reconciliation, information recovery and ending the cycle of investigations that is not working for anyone.
The Government remains clear however, that it will never accept any moral equivalence between those who upheld the law in Northern Ireland and those, on all sides, who sought to destroy it.
These proposals will be considered as part of the ongoing intensive talks process with the NI parties, Irish Government and representatives of NI society, further to which we will bring forward legislation.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with ministers at the Northern Ireland Assembly about the impact that the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland has had on the current situation in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland remains in close and continued contact with Northern Ireland’s party leaders. The Government welcomes the unity that the Executive has shown in opposing the recent disorder.
It is clear that the factors behind the recent disorder are complex and multifaceted. The answer to these issues lies in dialogue, engagement, and the democratic process; not through violence or disorder.
The Protocol was designed to protect the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and to safeguard the gains of the peace process. There are outstanding issues with the Protocol which need to be addressed in order to restore confidence on the ground and minimise the impact on day-to-day lives of the people in Northern Ireland. The measures taken in March this year were temporary, operational steps intended to minimise disruption in Northern Ireland and protect the everyday lives of the people living there. We are working intensively with the EU to address these and working hard to ensure the effective operation of the Protocol, including through tailored support for businesses.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they recruit civil servants to work in the Northern Ireland Office based on Irish nationality.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
The Northern Ireland Office follows the Civil Service Recruitment Principles when filling posts and makes any appointments to the Civil Service on merit and on the basis of fair and open competition and in line with the Civil Service nationality rules.
Other than the rules quoted above, nationality is not a factor in any recruitment decisions to appoint to the Northern Ireland Office.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about COVID-19.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Minister of State for Northern Ireland are in regular contact with the First and deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland, as well as the Health minister, with the most recent discussions focusing on the recent restrictions across the UK, the concerning rise in cases, and how the UK government can provide continued support.
The First and deputy First Minister, are invited to attend a weekly Covid-19 Operations Committee meeting, hosted by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. This forum supports collaboration and helps ensure decisions taken across the four nations are aligned as far as is possible and appropriate.
Since the start of this pandemic, the UK Government has worked closely with the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the rest of the Executive to coordinate our response to coronavirus. We have also remained in close contact with the Irish government.
The government and devolved administrations will continue to work closely together to ensure a coordinated approach across the United Kingdom.