Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what plans he has to visit the land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland before Christmas 2018; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Secretary of State visited the border on 2 November recognising the importance of protecting the communities on both sides. The former Secretary of State visited Northern Ireland twice this year and I visited in October for meetings with civil society and human rights bodies as part of a wider programme of engagement carried out by Government ministers and officials.
We remain committed to agreeing a mutually advantageous deal with the EU. It is a key part of these negotiations that we deliver for the people of Northern Ireland and deliver on all our commitments in the joint report including with regard to North/South cooperation, the Belfast Agreement and the integrity of the Single Market
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to the Answer of 2 May 2018 to Question 137497 on Department for Exiting the European Union: Northern Ireland, if he will publish the programme of meetings and events for that visit.
Answered by Steve Baker
Details of Ministerial meetings are published in the Department’s Quarterly Transparency Returns, which can be found on gov.uk.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, pursuant to the Answer of 8 May 2018 to Question 139996 on Security: Northern Ireland, if he will place in the Library copies of the redacted minutes of his briefings with (a) PSNI officers and (b) Northern Ireland Office officials during his visit to Northern Ireland of 23 April 2018.
Answered by Steve Baker
The Secretary of State meetings with PSNI Officers and Northern Ireland Office officials relate to matters concerning our exit from the EU. Release of this information while our exit from the EU is ongoing would indicate sensitive information relating to the negotiations. Ministers have a specific responsibility, which Parliament has endorsed, not to release information that could undermine our negotiating position.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how much time he spent (a) in Northern Ireland and (b) visiting the border area on 23 April 2018; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Suella Braverman
The Secretary of State undertook a visit to Northern Ireland on 23 April to meet some of the key stakeholders involved in the process of our EU exit. He stayed overnight in Northern Ireland and as part of his visit spent some time at the border with Peter Sheridan, the Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland.