Oral Answers to Questions

Jack Brereton Excerpts

Wednesday 6th March 2019 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Jack Brereton (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Con)]

1. What progress has been made on restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland.

[Ross Thomson (Aberdeen South) (Con)]

9. What progress has been made on restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Karen Bradley)]

On the first day of Lent, we continue our feast of Northern Ireland business.

I am working closely with the main Northern Ireland parties to restore devolved government.  I met the five main political parties on 15 February, and again—with the exception of one party—on 1 March. Northern Ireland needs a functioning Executive and Assembly, and that is what the Government are determined to achieve.

[Jack Brereton]

I commend my right hon. Friend’s efforts. What steps is she taking to ensure that Northern Ireland has good governance and political stability in the absence of devolved government?

[Karen Bradley]

My hon. Friend has made the important point that in the absence of Ministers at Stormont, it is incumbent on the Government to ensure that, when necessary, steps are taken to ensure that there is good governance. Yesterday we legislated to put the 2018-19 budget on a statutory footing, and today we will legislate to set the regional rates and cost-cap the renewable heat incentive scheme.