Asked by: Conor McGinn (Independent - St Helens North)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2018 to Question 153188 on Common Travel Area, for what reason the reciprocal voting rights for Irish citizens do not cover referendums; and what assessment she has made of the implications of that for Irish citizens in Northern Ireland in relation to any border poll conducted under schedule 1 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The voting rights which will continue to be enjoyed by British and Irish citizens are reciprocal. British citizens may vote in local and parliamentary elections in Ireland but not Presidential elections or referendums. This reciprocal right is reflected in the voting rights of Irish citizens living in the United Kingdom.
I continue to believe that a majority in Northern Ireland favour Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom. The test for a border poll set out in the 1998 Northern Ireland Act has therefore not been met.
Asked by: Conor McGinn (Independent - St Helens North)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the timetable is for the Derry City Deal to be signed.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The Government has set out several public commitments, including in the Budget and in the Confidence and Supply Agreement, to work towards a ‘comprehensive and ambitious’ set of City Deals across Northern Ireland.
A timetable has not been set to deliver a City Deal, however officials from across Whitehall and the Northern Ireland Civil Service have been engaging with Derry City and Strabane Council and partners on their proposals. I look forward to considering these proposals in due course.
Asked by: Conor McGinn (Independent - St Helens North)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make an assessment of the (a) economic and (b) fiscal effect of the Government's proposals for a Derry city deal.
Answered by Karen Bradley
Pursuant to my answer to PQ UIN 137040, proposals for a City Deal are currently being developed.
As with all City Deals it is important that proposals align with the economic ambitions and priorities of the devolved region and in the absence of an Executive the ongoing engagement between Derry City and Strabane Council, its partners and the Northern Ireland Civil Service is essential to ensure that aligned proposals offer the best possibility of added value and economic growth.
Asked by: Conor McGinn (Independent - St Helens North)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the St Andrews Agreement of 2006, what her policy is on the introduction of an Irish Language Act.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
Since May 2007, Northern Ireland’s devolved institutions have been responsible for the introduction of the Irish language Act. It is disappointing that the Northern Ireland parties have been unable to reach an agreement on how to proceed in this area.
The UK Government will continue to do all it can to support delivery of an effective, stable, power-sharing devolved Government, so that decisions on issues such as the Irish language and other languages are taken by locally accountable politicians.
Asked by: Conor McGinn (Independent - St Helens North)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what her policy is on equal marriage for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland; and if she will bring forward legislative proposals on that policy.
Answered by Karen Bradley
In accordance with the Belfast Agreement, this is a devolved matter which should be addressed in the NI Assembly; but the power of the Westminster Parliament to legislate remains unaffected. If this issue were to be raised in Westminster, the Government’s policy is to allow a free vote on matters of conscience such as equal marriage.