Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made with the Police Services Northern Ireland of the capability of the police to meet any potential (a) threats and (b) risks as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

Policing is a devolved matter; the PSNI’s main budget is allocated by the Department of Justice from the Northern Ireland block grant, through the Policing Board. Operational capability and policing matters are a matter for the Chief Constable, with whom I maintain regular contact.

The UK Government has provided the Police Service of Northern Ireland with additional security funding in order that they can tackle the SEVERE and enduring threat from Northern Ireland related terrorism.