Northern Ireland: Political Developments

Debate between Alasdair McDonnell and John Bercow

Tuesday 10th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

Dr T.K. Whitaker was one of the constant voices for peace and reconciliation in Ireland, between north and south, and between Ireland and Britain, over his outstanding lifetime in public service. Dr Whitaker died last night, four weeks after his 100th birthday. Will the Secretary of State join me in offering our sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Rostrevor, County Down-born Dr T.K Whitaker, who was a major driver in the creation of modern Ireland? I am reminded of the tribute of Marc Antony to Julius Caesar that he did

“bestride the narrow world

Like a Colossus”.

May I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement, and his reference to the view that a comprehensive inquiry is needed urgently and that there are deep tensions there in the Government? Does he accept that although RHI may have been the last straw, the major factor in the current crisis was the UK vote for Brexit, against the wishes of the people of Northern Ireland and Scotland, which has led to considerable political confusion and damage to the Northern Ireland economy? That, in turn, has played a significant part in compounding political difficulties.

[Mr Speaker]

I admire the hon. Gentleman enormously, but I hope he will not take it amiss if I say that he really is an incorrigible fellow; I thought that his question had concluded, but I had heard only the first third at that point.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alasdair McDonnell and John Bercow

Wednesday 7th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

May I associate myself with the condolences to the families of Danny Murphy and Austin Hunter?

Does the Secretary of State recognise the real need for bespoke and in-depth protection for all aspects of the Good Friday agreement, or the Belfast agreement, and the need—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman is asking about protections for Northern Ireland in respect of the Good Friday agreement. I say to the hon. Member for North East Hampshire (Mr Jayawardena) that this is a very important matter that the hon. Member for Belfast South (Dr McDonnell) should be able to articulate for his constituents with a respectful audience.

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell]

Does the Secretary of State agree that there is a real need for bespoke and in-depth protection for all aspects of the Good Friday or Belfast agreement, and for the constitutional principles in annex A of the agreement to be given full recognition in any future UK-EU treaty? Northern Ireland’s unique interests will in no way be satisfied by a mere consultation with the First and Deputy First Ministers.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alasdair McDonnell and John Bercow

Wednesday 5th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

May I follow on from earlier questions and ask whether the Secretary of State is fully aware of the seriously high level of fuel fraud? There are some estimates that up to one third of diesel is laundered diesel. Is he aware that at least £70 million of illicit profit is being made from fuel laundering across Ireland? The estimate is that that is split half and half between north and south; it used to be nearly all northern. There is also £100 million-worth of tobacco fraud. Can the Secretary of State give us any words of comfort, because the level of corruption is frightening?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Tobacco is another matter; we will stick to fuel for today.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alasdair McDonnell and John Bercow

Wednesday 5th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I remind the House that we are discussing extremely serious matters of life and death, and it would be appreciated if the House would respond accordingly.

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

Does the Secretary of State agree that the Finucane case is not just about truth but about justice, and that there is a need to follow through and obtain justice, as much as truth, for the Finucane family?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alasdair McDonnell and John Bercow

Wednesday 24th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am immensely grateful to the Secretary of State, but we need a bit of order in the House so that we can hear both question and answer alike.

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

5. What assessment she has made of the effect of the level of air passenger duty for short-haul flights on the regional economy in Northern Ireland.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alasdair McDonnell and John Bercow

Wednesday 19th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

Has the Secretary of State had any discussions with members of the Northern Ireland Executive about the devolution of taxes other than corporation tax to Northern Ireland?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We need particular reference to the importance of the air passenger duty. I am sure the hon. Gentleman meant to mention that.

Pat Finucane

Debate between Alasdair McDonnell and John Bercow

Wednesday 12th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am pleased to tell the Secretary of State that I am not vexed.

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

Does the Secretary of State accept that cracking on in the wrong direction may not be the right thing to do and that this tragic case has roots that lead right back to this House and a previous Government? A Home Office Minister in this House pointed the finger at lawyers a few days before Pat Finucane was murdered and that was sufficient endorsement for a few people—elements in the police and security forces—to send out lunatics in the loyalist paramilitaries to plan the murder of three lawyers, two of whom, now deceased, were friends of mine. The dogs in the street knew this at the time. In doing that, disrepute was brought on hon. Members across the House and those elsewhere who were members of the security forces and of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

We now accept that there was collusion. May I ask the Secretary of State whether the proposed review will confine itself to the narrow details of the murder of Pat Finucane, or will it include investigations into the wider collusion and plotting to kill those other lawyers? Does he know of the destruction of any papers? He will be aware that papers are brought in. I am concerned that Sir Desmond, who is a very honourable and highly reputable man, does not have the power to summon people and papers; his teeth have been removed and many of the papers have been taken out.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alasdair McDonnell and John Bercow

Wednesday 23rd March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

Can the Secretary of State give us any advice on steps that the Northern Ireland economy might take to become more productive and efficient? [Interruption.] I am thinking especially of research and development, and in particular of European framework programme 7 for R and D funding.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I appeal to the House to come to order. It is very difficult for Ministers even to hear the questions that they are being asked.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alasdair McDonnell and John Bercow

Wednesday 9th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

Does the Secretary of State agree that Northern Ireland urgently needs meaningful action on creating economic opportunity? Has there been any discussion about how we might create the authority for the Northern Ireland Executive to create bonds, thereby creating private funding to boost our construction industry and build the necessary schools and infrastructure that are missing?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There is far too much noise in the Chamber. [Hon. Members: “Hear! Hear!”] Agreement is one thing; abiding by it is another. Ministers cannot even hear what is being asked. A bit of order please.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alasdair McDonnell and John Bercow

Wednesday 15th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Dr McDonnell]

I thank the Minister for his answer, and endorse the point he makes about an air transport strategy and framework being essential to our economic recovery, particularly in respect of tourism. [Interruption.] Can he assure me, however, that he will do all in his power to work with those responsible—both the Secretary of State for Transport and the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland—to ensure that we get a functioning strategy that provides air links to Europe, Canada and the United States? [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I wish to hear the Minister’s reply, and I am sure the House wants to hear it as well.