Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the Government plans to provide financial support to Tourism Ireland.
Answered by Conor Burns
Tourism is a devolved responsibility in Northern Ireland, and funding for tourism is a matter for Northern Ireland Executive ministers. Tourism Ireland is funded by both the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, and the Executive has substantial resources available to it to deliver public services. The Government announced in the 2021 Spending Review that it is providing the Executive with £15 billion per year over the next three years, the largest funding settlement for Northern Ireland since devolution.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what events his Department is organising to mark the 24th anniversary of the signing of the Belfast Agreement on 10 April 1998.
Answered by Conor Burns
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will mark the 24th anniversary with a message to people in Northern Ireland via social media which reflects on the significant progress that has been made since the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was signed and the transformative role it has played in making Northern Ireland a great place to live, work and do business.
Preparations are also underway to mark the historic milestone of the 25th anniversary in 2023 appropriately and give it the recognition it deserves. Further details will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the legislative changes required to ban cargo of Russian origin from being unloaded in Northern Irish ports.
Answered by Conor Burns
We are working very closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on the impacts on Northern Ireland as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This includes understanding any reliance on Russian fuel within Northern Ireland and exploring alternative sources of supply.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to progress the election of a (a) First and (b) deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.
Answered by Conor Burns
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland continues to speak to a range of stakeholders, including the Northern Ireland party leaders, the Irish Government and Cabinet colleagues, to reiterate the need for stable, devolved government in Northern Ireland. The Government is united around the ambition for a strong functioning Northern Ireland Executive delivering a more prosperous, shared future for Northern Ireland. The people of Northern Ireland are going to the polls on Thursday 5 May to choose their local political representatives. It is vital that we give people the space to make that choice in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Conor Burns
The decision by the DUP to withdraw the First Minister from the Northern Ireland Executive is extremely disappointing. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland continues to speak to Northern Ireland’s political leaders to urge a return to ministerial roles and ensure the necessary delivery of public services for the citizens of Northern Ireland.
In the meantime, the Assembly under the new rules can continue to function. It is therefore right that MLAs are allowed the time and space to pass legislation before the Assembly election on the 5 May.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has discussed with Cabinet colleagues the potential merits of writing the Common Travel Area into domestic UK law.
Answered by Conor Burns
The Government is committed to the Common Travel Area (CTA), and the reciprocal rights and privileges it provides to British and Irish citizens. The CTA is an administrative arrangement that is already underpinned by domestic legislation, which will be updated as and when required so that the associated rights and privileges continue to be ensured.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
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 trade between Wales and Northern Ireland.
Answered by Conor Burns
Trade within the UK internal market is vital to our economic prosperity and is a key part of the Government's commitment to strengthen the Union, bringing us closer together. Trade across the Irish Sea with Scotland, Wales and England accounts for nearly sixty per cent of Northern Ireland’s total external trade. Trade between Wales and Northern Ireland is important to the success of both economies, and the Government remains committed to strengthening these routes, to level up all parts of the United Kingdom.
I am delighted that Northern Ireland recently hosted the Board of Trade, which discussed opportunities for growth in digital trade across the UK. It brought together Cabinet ministers and trade advisers to highlight Northern Ireland's fantastic businesses, and opportunities for investment.
We are committed to boosting overseas exports from Northern Ireland, and the Department for International Trade has established a hub in Northern Ireland to assist businesses to export. Invest NI, the Department for International Trade and the Northern Ireland Office will do everything they can to promote Northern Ireland’s excellent goods and services.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he last met representatives of the haulage industry in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Conor Burns
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I meet regularly with the haulage industry, and a wide range of businesses, in Northern Ireland to enable a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced and to ensure that the appropriate support and practical solutions are available. I am looking forward to further discussions in the weeks ahead.