Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Great Britain-Northern Ireland Tunnel

Wednesday 3 March 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial colleagues have regular conversations about transport connections for Northern Ireland.
  • The project faces challenges including cost, geological issues, and differing rail gauges between Britain and Ireland.
  • The Minister expressed disappointment in the lack of ambition regarding the tunnel project.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Spellar Lab
Transport Northern Ireland
Context

Discussions around the feasibility and viability of a tunnel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are ongoing, with emphasis on connectivity for Northern Ireland's economic recovery.

Question

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the feasibility and viability of a tunnel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Answer from Robin Walker

The Secretary of State and I have regular conversations with ministerial colleagues regarding transport connections, which are particularly important for Northern Ireland given its unique position. Connectivity across the UK is vital to fuel Northern Ireland's economic recovery and strengthen the Union. The Prime Minister commissioned a Union connectivity review to consider these important connections, including the feasibility of a fixed link between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about the tunnel's feasibility and viability were not provided; instead, general statements about connectivity and economic recovery were given.

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Q2 John Spellar Lab
Transport Northern Ireland
Context

Previous discussions have failed to address the practical challenges and costs associated with a tunnel project, including geological issues and differing rail gauges between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Question

In those discussions, could the Minister not get together with the Department for Transport and point out the huge cost, the geological problems and the inconvenient reality that Britain and Ireland operate on a different rail gauge? Is it not time to dump this project at an early stage, along with the garden bridge, into the bin and save a lot of money, effort and probably a few column inches in articles?

Answer from Robin Walker

I have to say that I am not impressed with the right hon. Gentleman's lack of ambition. I want to make sure that we look at all options to support connectivity to Northern Ireland, and I am grateful that we have a Prime Minister who is willing to do that.

Not addressed: The question was about practical challenges of the tunnel project, but the answer dismissed the criticism without addressing any specific issues.

How: Lack Of Ambition

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