Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Farry Excerpts
Wednesday 9th March 2022

(2 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
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Yes, I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. He is absolutely right. I continue to speak to a range of stakeholders, including the party leaders in Northern Ireland, about the importance of having a strong, functioning Northern Ireland Executive. A couple of them are in the Chamber now, and I have expressed to them my desire to have a First Minister and Deputy First Minister nominated now and after the May elections.

Stephen Farry Portrait Stephen Farry (North Down) (Alliance)
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The Government have been clear that they want to legislate for the language and culture package of New Decade, New Approach before the Assembly rises for the elections, which is only two weeks away. Is that pledge going to happen in the next two weeks?

Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
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The hon. Gentleman makes a fair point. I am absolutely committed to ensuring that we deliver on our promise, as is the Prime Minister, as we set out last summer, and indeed that we deliver on all our commitments in the New Decade, New Approach deal, which brought Stormont back.