Recent Disorder 2021-04-21
2021-04-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Localised disorder occurred in Northern Ireland, leading to concerns about community tensions.
What steps are the Government taking in response to recent disorder in Northern Ireland?
The sporadic localised disorder in Northern Ireland is unacceptable. I have been working with political and community leaders, as well as the Police Service of Northern Ireland, to resolve tensions through dialogue.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions or commitments on resolving unrest
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Brexit-related trade barriers are contributing to political instability in Northern Ireland.
Does the Secretary of State recognise a trade-off between UK's Brexit and checks down the Irish Sea, impacting tensions?
The issues behind recent violence in Northern Ireland are multifaceted. The Government wants to negotiate a practical solution with the EU for a free flow of products between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific confirmation on negotiating common veterinary standards
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Trade barriers are part of growing political instability in Northern Ireland.
Will the Secretary of State confirm that his Government is seeking an agreement on common veterinary standards to lower food product trade barriers?
Lord Frost and Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič are working on agrifood issues, with the aim of resolving disruptions affecting people across all communities in Northern Ireland.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Explicit confirmation on common veterinary standards agreement
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Social media platforms are used to communicate types of disorder.
Will the Secretary of State assure that PSNI has adequate resourcing to proactively interrupt and monitor social media platforms?
The Government supports the police with access to capabilities for dealing with social media issues, recognising that policing is a devolved matter.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific assurance on full state resources
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Peace process in Northern Ireland is vulnerable due to Brexit and north-south institutions under pressure.
Will the Secretary of State ensure that the British-Irish Council is urgently convened for discussions on the protocol?
The British-Irish Council continues regular meetings, with the last one in November and another planned for 11 June.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Urgency of convening the council specifically mentioned
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The Secretary of State is aware that young children have been involved in recent disorder. The questioner recommends an urgent meeting to discuss restorative justice.
I suggest that 11 June is not an urgent meeting and recommend that this meeting should be brought forward urgently to discuss these important issues. Does the Secretary of State agree that, wherever appropriate, working with the PSNI, restorative justice should be used to ensure that those children are not criminalised?
Yes, absolutely. Community groups and youth groups have been working with young people consistently over the last year or so to help them see a way through to a prosperous future and prevent them from being tempted into criminal behaviour.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Secretary of State is questioned about the Prime Minister's use of the word 'ludicrous' regarding barriers created by the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Does the Secretary of State consider that the Prime Minister's referring to the 'ludicrous' barriers that result from the protocol are a help or a hindrance to reaching a solution in Northern Ireland?
The Prime Minister was absolutely right. The language used by him recognises the sense of injustice and feeling of attack on identity that is there in the Unionist community, which needs to be addressed.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly state whether PM's comments were helpful or hindrance
Referring To Overall Sentiment
Mentioning Support For Prime Minister
Response accuracy
Q8
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The Secretary of State is asked about the Prime Minister's quick response to football compared with his slow response to recent violence.
Given the Prime Minister's very speedy response to an issue about football, does the Secretary of State agree that we need an active and engaged PM in dealing with our peace process?
Yes, absolutely. We have a very much engaged Prime Minister who has been talking to the Taoiseach in the early stages and was fully involved all through this process.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Secretary of State is asked about taking steps to understand activities behind rising tensions.
Will the Secretary of State take more steps now to understand the activities that are going on, the rationale behind them and the need to stand up to the violence?
Yes. A multi-faceted set of issues came together over the last few weeks, highlighting why we have to do more work to ensure that all communities can benefit from levelling up and building back better.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific actions or steps
General Statements About Broader Issues
Response accuracy