Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether farmers in Northern Ireland will be able to graze livestock on land in the Republic of Ireland in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Julian Smith
The Government has been clear that we would prefer to leave with a deal and we will work in an energetic and determined way to get that better deal. We hope that the EU will agree to negotiate.
I have been working closely with colleagues across Government and engaging with the Northern Ireland Civil Service, including the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, to identify how we can best support the agricultural community, including those in border areas, in the event of a ‘no deal’ exit.
In response to any potential risk, the Government would, of course, take measures to mitigate any short-run disruption, support the economy through the transition, and to boost the long-term potential of the UK economy, taking advantage of the opportunities available outside the EU.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the effect on the economic viability of farmers who graze livestock on both sides of the border in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Julian Smith
The Government has been clear that we would prefer to leave with a deal and we will work in an energetic and determined way to get that better deal. We hope that the EU will agree to negotiate.
I have been working closely with colleagues across Government and engaging with the Northern Ireland Civil Service, including the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, to identify how we can best support the agricultural community, including those in border areas, in the event of a ‘no deal’ exit.
In response to any potential risk, the Government would, of course, take measures to mitigate any short-run disruption, support the economy through the transition, and to boost the long-term potential of the UK economy, taking advantage of the opportunities available outside the EU.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the potential financial effect on farmers in Northern Ireland of the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and whether she plans to provide farmers in Northern Ireland with financial support in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Julian Smith
The Government has been clear that we would prefer to leave with a deal and we will work in an energetic and determined way to get that better deal. We hope that the EU will agree to negotiate.
I have been working closely with colleagues across Government and engaging with the Northern Ireland Civil Service, including the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, to identify how we can best support the agricultural community, including those in border areas, in the event of a ‘no deal’ exit.
In response to any potential risk, the Government would, of course, take measures to mitigate any short-run disruption, support the economy through the transition, and to boost the long-term potential of the UK economy, taking advantage of the opportunities available outside the EU.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether she plans to increase police numbers in Northern Ireland in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Julian Smith
Policing is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and operational capability is a matter for the Chief Constable. The PSNI’s main budget is allocated by the Department of Justice from the Northern Ireland block grant.
The UK Government has provided the PSNI with the additional security funding it has asked for and needs to ensure that they have the resource (including officers) to tackle the SEVERE threat from Northern Ireland related terrorism. This additional security funding boosts PSNI’s ability to tackle the terrorist threat while ensuring day-to-day policing isn’t compromised.
PSNI received £230m additional security funding in the last parliament and £160m in this one. In addition, the UK Government has provided PSNI with £16.5m to help prepare for EU exit. This funding will help the PSNI manage pressures and contingencies arising from EU exit preparations which fall in the 2019/20 financial year. It will enable PSNI to recruit 206 additional officers this financial year.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he plans to convene a plenary of the five main political parties in Northern Ireland to seek a resolution to the political situation in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
Northern Ireland Office Ministers will outline plans for further talks with the political parties shortly. The Government remains committed to getting devolution up and running in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has drawn up a shortlist of independent chairs for potential future talks about restoring the power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The Government is committed to doing all it can to get devolution up and running in Northern Ireland and will outline plans for further talks shortly.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
What assessment he has made of the conditions under which the UK Government would impose direct rule on Northern Ireland.
Answered by James Brokenshire
The Government is committed to the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland but the current impasse cannot continue indefinitely. If an Executive is not restored early in the New Year the Government will need to consider next steps.