Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for the (a) government of Northern Ireland and (b) role of the Northern Ireland civil service of the recent court ruling against the granting of planning permission for the Arc21 incinerator; and if he will make a statement.

Following the decision of the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal, the UK Government recognises that there is a need to provide reassurance and clarity on the mechanisms for the continued delivery of public services and good governance in Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s statement to the House of 6 September set out our clear plan to introduce legislation that will include provisions to enable Northern Ireland departments to continue to take decisions in Northern Ireland and to ensure the continued delivery of public services.