Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her oral contribution of 9 May, Official Report, column 662, what representations she has made to the Home Secretary on ensuring that the criteria applied in Northern Ireland by the UK Border Force in its recruitment drive are not discriminatory; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Karen Bradley
Following discussions with my officials, the Home Office has confirmed that the criteria in Northern Ireland for the UK Border Force opens up the recruitment campaign to a representative profile of candidates. The Border Force has confirmed that it values the experience of people who have worked in the military and law enforcement, and that current and former members are free to apply for the Border Force recruitment campaign.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what timetable she has set for re-starting the talks between the main political parties in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The Government continues to engage closely with the political parties, and the Irish Government as appropriate, to encourage and support work towards an accommodation to restore the Executive. This remains a top priority.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the content of the contribution made by the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland on the threat posed by the IRA dissidents after the UK leaves the EU, broadcast on BBC Newsnight on 15 May 2018, what assessment her Department has made of the level and nature of the threat posed by those dissidents; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The Security Service assesses the level of threat from Northern Ireland-related terrorism, and makes this assessment independently of Government and ministers. The threat from Northern Ireland-related terrorism in Northern Ireland is currently assessed as SEVERE.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General of 16 May 2018, Official Report, column 390 for 16 May 2018, if she will place redacted copies of the security briefings on the threat posed by IRA dissidents as a result of the UK leaving the EU which were provided to Ministers by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (a) in the Library and (b) with the Committee on Exiting the European Union; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The PSNI are engaged in ongoing discussions with representatives from both the NIO and other Whitehall departments on a wide range of matters, including the security implications of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after the UK leaves the EU. There are no security specific briefings to be placed in the Library or with the Committee on Exiting the European Union.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent estimate she has made of the likely timescale for talks to begin between the main political parties on the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Karen Bradley
I met Northern Ireland’s five largest political parties recently to explore how we might achieve the restoration of devolved government while ensuring the good governance of Northern Ireland in the interim. I will continue to engage closely with them, and the Irish Government as appropriate, to encourage and support work towards an accomodation to restore the Executive. This remains a top priority for the Government.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the implications of the High Court judgment of 14 May 2018 on the Mallusk incinerator plant for her policies on ministerial decision-making; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Karen Bradley
I am aware of the judgment released on 14 May on the Buick vs Department for Infrastructure case and the UK Government is considering its potential impact.
Considering the importance of this judgment and the questions of law involved, I note the NICS decision to appeal. It will be valuable to have these issues fully tested by the Courts so that there is clarity about the implications of the judgment.
I recognise that in the ongoing absence of locally appointed Ministers from the elected NI political parties, the civil servants in Northern Ireland have been left with the responsibility of ensuring governance in Northern Ireland. Since January last year, the NICS has continued to manage and maintain the delivery of vital public services in Northern Ireland in very difficult circumstances. The NICS are to be commended for the work they have and continue to do in the public interest.
But, I remain firm in my view that the people of Northern Ireland deserve better. It is absolutely crucial that we secure the return of a functioning, effective, devolved government in Northern Ireland, to get back to the business of governing and to take the strategic decisions that affect the long-term future of Northern Ireland and its people.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will confirm that she has no plans to seek a border poll in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Karen Bradley
It remains my view that a majority of the people of Northern Ireland continue to support the union and that the circumstances requiring a border poll are not satisfied.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 9 May 2018 to Question 140646 on Northern Ireland Assembly: Members, if she will place copies of the representations she received from political parties in Northern Ireland in the Library before Thursday 24 May 2018.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
Any representations made to the Secretary of State by political parties regarding the salaries and allowances for Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly will be published by the Northern Ireland Office in due course, subject to any necessary redaction of sensitive or personal data.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 8 May 2018 to Question 13996 on Security: Northern Ireland, on what dates the Police Service of Northern Ireland met with (a) Ministers and (b) officials of her Department to discuss the security implications of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Karen Bradley
I would refer the hon Member to my previous answer of 8 May 2018. The PSNI have been, and will continue to be, fully engaged in ongoing constructive meetings with representatives from both the Northern Ireland Office and other Whitehall departments on a wide range of matters, including the security implications of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after the UK leaves the EU.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether she observes parliamentary protocols on notifying the sitting MP when making a visit to a Northern Ireland constituency; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Karen Bradley
My ministerial team and I observe the correct parliamentary protocols on notifying the sitting MP when making a visit to a Northern Ireland constituency.