Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has had discussions with political parties in Northern Ireland on the potential merits of compensating people affected by acts of terrorism perpetrated by the IRA using Libyan-supplied weapons as part of discussions relating to the restoration of power sharing.
Answered by Steve Baker
The UK Government has profound sympathy for UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism and for all victims of The Troubles. Providing compensation specifically for the actions of the Qadhafi regime, separate from the support available to victims of the Troubles, is the responsibility of the Libyan State.
The Secretary of State and I engage regularly with the Northern Ireland parties on a large variety of issues and do not give a running commentary on these discussions.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' proposal to write off the Northern Ireland Executive's overspend.
Answered by Steve Baker
This Government is willing to consider proposals that seek to address Northern Ireland’s overspend and place its finances on a sustainable footing. I have written to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and look forward to meeting to discuss their proposals further.
Nevertheless, this Government is clear that Northern Ireland’s finances are not sustainable and we need the Executive back in place so that they can run a balanced budget.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing legislative proposals to help restore devolved government in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Steve Baker
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland's priority is to see the return of locally elected, accountable and effective devolved institutions which is the best outcome for Northern Ireland. The Government is working tirelessly towards that objective.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make it his policy to establish a new official local flag for Northern Ireland in addition to the Union flag.
Answered by Steve Baker
The Union Flag is the only official flag of Northern Ireland. The regulatory framework for official flag flying in Northern Ireland is determined by the Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and The Flags (Northern Ireland) Order 2000. There are no current plans to further review or amend how this legislation operates in recognising specific flags in Northern Ireland.
Flag flying remains a sensitive and divisive issue for people in Northern Ireland. The UK Government respects the sensitivities and unique circumstances of Northern Ireland, and balances this with recognition of its integral place in our United Kingdom.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he is taking steps to promote (a) the usage and (b) education of the Ulster Scots language.
Answered by Steve Baker
The Secretary of State has taken the Identity and Language Act 2022 through Parliament. The Act provides for the creation of a Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British Tradition, as agreed in the New Decade, New Approach deal.
A principal aim of this Commissioner will be to enhance and develop the associated language, arts and literature, recognising that Ulster Scots does not just encompass a language but a people with distinct cultural and artistic traditions. Specifically, the Act places a duty on the NI Department of Education to encourage and facilitate the use and understanding of Ulster Scots in the education system.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the Government is taking steps to help Rathlin Island protect its native puffin population.
Answered by Steve Baker
Biodiversity, conservation and protection is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. In the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers, it is for the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to advise on this topic.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of implications for his policies of trends in the level of Republic of Ireland funding in Northern Ireland infrastructure.
Answered by Steve Baker
Funding decisions concerning infrastructure in Northern Ireland are devolved. In the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers, it is for the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure to decide on infrastructure spending decisions flowing from their 2023-24 budget allocation.
The UK Government and the Irish Government have a shared interest in ensuring excellent infrastructure is in place to support the growth of the Northern Ireland economy. As set out in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, the UK Government committed to a £1 billion Barnett guarantee for capital infrastructure investment.
It is essential that the Executive forms so that ministers elected by the people of Northern Ireland can take decisions on infrastructure investment and deliver for the people of Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment he has made of the prevalence of Irish republican sectarianism in higher education institutions in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Steve Baker
The Government has made no such assessment.
Higher Education policy in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter, under the responsibility of the Department for the Economy.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent steps his Department has taken to (a) help maintain the peace process in Northern Ireland and (b) uphold the Good Friday Agreement.
Answered by Steve Baker
The Government remains of the view that a devolved power-sharing government, in line with the vision of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, is the best framework to deliver good governance, peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland. The Government is working tirelessly towards that effect.
As part of the recent events to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the Government highlighted the courage and foresight of those who contributed to the peace process and the need for that same leadership today.
The Government will always work to maintain the peace process in Northern Ireland.