Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Leaving the EU: Peace in Northern Ireland

Wednesday 21 April 2021 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial assessment states that leaving the EU was designed to protect the Belfast/Good Friday agreement and maintain peace in Northern Ireland.
  • The UK Government is committed to supporting the Northern Ireland Executive to advance integrated education as per the Belfast/Good Friday agreement.
  • The UK Government is working intensively with partners to address issues related to the protocol and alleviate tensions in Northern Ireland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The question arises from the concern about the impact of leaving the EU on peace established by the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on peace in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

In the 23 years since the Belfast/Good Friday agreement was signed, there has been a transformative change in Northern Ireland. The hard-won peace has created conditions for economic growth, investment and stability. As we left the European Union, the protocol was designed to protect the agreement in all of its strands and to safeguard the stability created.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a recent assessment or analysis about the specific impact of Brexit on peace in Northern Ireland.

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Q2 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Education Northern Ireland
Context

The question relates to the legacy of Charles Kennedy as an example of integrated education. It seeks further action from the UK Government on this issue.

Question

What more can the UK Government do to assist the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Government in getting integrated education going in the Province?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The hon. Gentleman makes a very important and powerful point, which I absolutely agree with. One of the things in the Belfast/Good Friday agreement that has not managed to be delivered on enough is integrated education. I am absolutely determined for us to do all we can to support the Executive to take that forward—obviously, education is devolved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or initiatives by the UK government but committed to supporting the Northern Ireland Executive.

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Q3 Paul Girvan DUP
Northern Ireland
Context

The question is about the impact of the Northern Ireland protocol, focusing on its effect on trade between east and west and how it affects local businesses.

Question

What progress is being made to remove this injustice from Northern Ireland, as we feel we are being punished for leaving the EU?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As I said earlier, some of the tension that we have seen over the last few weeks is multi-faceted, with a number of issues involved. On the hon. Gentleman's points about the protocol, that is something that we are working through. We are working intensively with our partners in the EU.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific progress updates or concrete steps towards resolving issues caused by the protocol.

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