Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the implications of the High Court judgment of 14 May 2018 on the Mallusk incinerator plant for her policies on ministerial decision-making; and if she will make a statement.

I am aware of the judgment released on 14 May on the Buick vs Department for Infrastructure case and the UK Government is considering its potential impact.

Considering the importance of this judgment and the questions of law involved, I note the NICS decision to appeal. It will be valuable to have these issues fully tested by the Courts so that there is clarity about the implications of the judgment.

I recognise that in the ongoing absence of locally appointed Ministers from the elected NI political parties, the civil servants in Northern Ireland have been left with the responsibility of ensuring governance in Northern Ireland. Since January last year, the NICS has continued to manage and maintain the delivery of vital public services in Northern Ireland in very difficult circumstances. The NICS are to be commended for the work they have and continue to do in the public interest.

But, I remain firm in my view that the people of Northern Ireland deserve better. It is absolutely crucial that we secure the return of a functioning, effective, devolved government in Northern Ireland, to get back to the business of governing and to take the strategic decisions that affect the long-term future of Northern Ireland and its people.