Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for renewable energy in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Steve Baker - Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
Energy is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, and that is why it is vital that an Executive is restored to take important decisions such as this on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many buses in total are currently operating in Northern Ireland; and what proportion of these buses are (i) electric, (ii) hybrid-diesel, (iii) biomethane, (iv) diesel and (v) other fuels.
Answered by Conor Burns
Transport is a devolved matter within the competence of the Northern Ireland Executive. Specific questions on public transport and the bus fleet in Northern Ireland should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure.
Through the New Decade, New Approach agreement, the Government provided £50 million to support low carbon transport in Northern Ireland, enabling the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure to commit to ordering 100 low-carbon buses to be deployed in Belfast and Londonderry.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
When he plans to issue guidance to businesses on the steps they will need to take under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Government is committed to having regular detailed discussions with business about how the Protocol is implemented and to support preparation for the end of the transition period.
Our Command Paper sets out clearly the approach we will take. We will publish guidance for business this summer, and proactively communicate how processes will change.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether any aspects of the current INTERREG VA Programme which support cross border environmental activities will be replicated in the new PEACE programme for Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of the Republic of Ireland.
Answered by John Penrose
The Government has committed around £300 million to PEACE Plus between 2021 and 2027 to uphold peace, cooperation and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
PEACE Plus will succeed the current PEACE IV and INTERREG VA schemes which have helped promote economic and social progress in Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland and which will end in 2020.
Thematic priorities and future activities have not yet been decided.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress she has made on implementation of the Stormont House Agreement; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
I refer the hon Lady to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon Member for Glasgow North East.