Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Executive

Wednesday 14 December 2022 · 7 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 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to the Belfast/Good Friday agreement and resolving issues created by the protocol
  • Minister meeting all political leaders in Northern Ireland to facilitate constructive dialogue for institutional reform
  • Government examining other options for providing energy support amid difficulties with current delivery methods

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Northern Ireland
Context

The Stormont Assembly has been recalled five times since the last election but failed to elect a new Speaker. The Democratic Unionist party will not re-enter power sharing until the Northern Ireland protocol is significantly changed.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support the establishment of a Northern Ireland Executive. My father was one of the longest serving Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, having served between 1992 and 1997. The protocol has created issues which we are working urgently to resolve as soon as possible.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The Government remain committed to the Belfast/Good Friday agreement and will continue to work with the Northern Ireland political parties to restore power sharing. We are working urgently to resolve issues created by the protocol as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address whether a balanced solution should be found specifically for Unionist aspirations

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Q2 Alexander Stafford
Northern Ireland
Context

Local politicians are refusing to return to Stormont, failing the people in their Province. Local leadership is needed now more than ever.

Question

What steps my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that politicians in Northern Ireland are incentivised to retore power sharing? Will he update the House on progress of talks?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

It is essential that the devolved institutions are restored as soon as possible. I am meeting all leaders this week to try to ensure we can have a constructive dialogue for reforming institutions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific update on progress of talks

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Q3 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Northern Ireland
Context

The Democratic Unionist party will not re-enter power sharing until the Northern Ireland protocol is significantly changed.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Government must find a balanced solution to the protocol, one that recognises aspirations of all communities in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The Government remain committed to the Belfast/Good Friday agreement and are working urgently to resolve issues created by the protocol. We have provided a legislative window until 19 January for talks between UK and EU.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly agree that a balanced solution is needed

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Q4 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

Healthcare needs ministerial guidance from directly elected locally elected decision makers working for the people.

Question

We must all strive to see the Executive restored. It is evident that the NHS there needs ministerial guidance.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and point, which is correct. The Northern Ireland parties need to be in government as soon as possible to solve issues within the NHS.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific commitment on restoring Executive

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Q5 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Energy
Context

Vulnerable people need the energy help and aid now. They are not receiving the same level of energy support as rest of UK.

Question

Encourage him and the Government on establishment of Northern Ireland Executive. Vulnerable people need energy help and aid now. Ask him to bring forward and enact Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, with no more delays.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

Energy policy is a devolved matter with responsibility normally resting with the Northern Ireland Executive. Significant difficulties in how energy companies deliver this support exist, and Government are examining other options.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to bringing forward Protocol Bill

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Q6 Richard Thomson
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

Nurses across Northern Ireland, England and Wales are planning to take strike action tomorrow. Scottish Government involvement averted this situation.

Question

What role is the Secretary of State playing in bringing resolution to this situation? What assurances can he give that his ministerial team is adopting a constructive approach?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

We recently set a budget for Northern Ireland. Negotiations are being facilitated by British Government Ministers, but employers in Northern Ireland will be making final negotiations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide assurances of constructive approach

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Q7 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

The question arises from a BBC 'Spotlight' programme that highlights the activities of loan sharks and paramilitaries in Northern Ireland, affecting vulnerable people who are awaiting financial assistance for fuel costs. The MP echoes comments made by another member regarding this issue.

Question

At the time of a cost of living crisis, clearly, too many people are feeling the adverse effect of the absence of Stormont. I urge my right hon. Friend to give peace of mind to those who are most in need and sort out this pressing issue by Christmas so that people have that peace of mind and can try to enjoy the festive period.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I am fully aware of the activities of paramilitary lenders. There have been dozens of meetings between various Secretaries of State, energy companies and a whole host of others to try to get this matter solved. The British Government is concentrating on this one issue with significant energy and wants to crack this nut in the timeframe suggested.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding solving financial issues by Christmas was not addressed directly; commitment was made but without a concrete timeline or action plan.

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