Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Recent Disorder

Wednesday 21 April 2021 · 9 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The sporadic localised disorder in Northern Ireland is unacceptable, and the Government is working with political and community leaders and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to resolve tensions through dialogue.
  • The Government aims to negotiate a practical solution with the EU for a free flow of products between Great Britain and Northern Ireland to address issues behind recent violence in Northern Ireland.
  • Lord Frost and Vice-President Maro efovi are working on agrifood issues to resolve disruptions affecting people across all communities in Northern Ireland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Northern Ireland
Context

Localised disorder occurred in Northern Ireland, leading to concerns about community tensions.

Question

What steps are the Government taking in response to recent disorder in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or commitments on resolving unrest

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Q2 Stephen Farry
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Brexit-related trade barriers are contributing to political instability in Northern Ireland.

Question

Does the Secretary of State recognise a trade-off between UK's Brexit and checks down the Irish Sea, impacting tensions?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific confirmation on negotiating common veterinary standards

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Q3 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Northern Ireland Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Trade barriers are part of growing political instability in Northern Ireland.

Question

Will the Secretary of State confirm that his Government is seeking an agreement on common veterinary standards to lower food product trade barriers?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Explicit confirmation on common veterinary standards agreement

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Q4 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Social media platforms are used to communicate types of disorder.

Question

Will the Secretary of State assure that PSNI has adequate resourcing to proactively interrupt and monitor social media platforms?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The Government supports the police with access to capabilities for dealing with social media issues, recognising that policing is a devolved matter.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assurance on full state resources

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Q5 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Northern Ireland
Context

Peace process in Northern Ireland is vulnerable due to Brexit and north-south institutions under pressure.

Question

Will the Secretary of State ensure that the British-Irish Council is urgently convened for discussions on the protocol?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The British-Irish Council continues regular meetings, with the last one in November and another planned for 11 June.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Urgency of convening the council specifically mentioned

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Q6 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland Community Security
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

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.

Answered
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Q7 Richard Thomson
Northern Ireland
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly state whether PM's comments were helpful or hindrance

How: Referring To Overall Sentiment, Mentioning Support For Prime Minister

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Q8 Colum Eastwood Social Democratic & Labour Party Foyle
Northern Ireland
Context

The Secretary of State is asked about the Prime Minister's quick response to football compared with his slow response to recent violence.

Question

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?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

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.

Answered
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Q9 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Northern Ireland Community Security
Context

The Secretary of State is asked about taking steps to understand activities behind rising tensions.

Question

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?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific actions or steps

How: General Statements About Broader Issues

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