Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Power Sharing

Wednesday 10 May 2023 · 11 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 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are working to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland through the Windsor framework.
  • The Secretary of State has read the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council report and plans further meetings on funding issues.
  • The Secretary of State emphasizes ongoing talks with all parties to restore the Northern Ireland Executive without setting timelines.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Colum Eastwood Social Democratic & Labour Party Foyle
Northern Ireland
Context

The Northern Ireland Assembly is currently without an Executive, leading to ongoing governance challenges.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland should provide specific actions being taken to resolve the current political deadlock and bring back a fully functioning devolved government.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The Government are working tirelessly towards the return of devolved government. The Windsor framework delivers stability for Northern Ireland and protects its place in the Union. I remain in close contact with all political parties and will continue to facilitate the restoration of the Executive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps being taken to restore power sharing were not detailed, focusing instead on general progress and stability assurances.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Chris Evans Labour (Co-op) Caerphilly
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

A recent Northern Ireland Fiscal Council report highlights the need for public spending parity across the UK.

Question

I associate myself with the Secretary of State's comments about the coronation. May I pay tribute to staff who made it wonderful? The Northern Ireland Fiscal Council report discusses funding needs; has he read it and will he act on its findings?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

Yes, I have met with the chair of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council and read their report. The debate on funding is ongoing; further meetings are planned without giving specific answers today due to local elections.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not commit to any specific actions based on the fiscal council's recommendations, citing ongoing debates and election sensitivity.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Margaret Greenwood Lab
Northern Ireland
Context

The lack of a fully functional Northern Ireland Executive impacts daily life through unaddressed policy issues.

Question

Last month marked the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, yet there is no functioning Assembly or Executive. What assessment has the Secretary of State made on how this affects public services?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

There is a great effect on public service delivery in Northern Ireland, which is why everyone works hard to restore the Executive and ensure Stormont can make decisions for those affected by these services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The impact of lack of Assembly was acknowledged but no specific assessment or measures were detailed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Kevin Brennan Lab
Northern Ireland
Context

The Windsor accord offers advantages, yet there is no effective power sharing. The question probes whether a deadline for restoration should be set.

Question

Given the advantageous position now outlined by the Prime Minister, it's time to restore power sharing. Should the Secretary of State consider setting a deadline?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

Setting deadlines is unhelpful; efforts should focus on getting things done properly to ensure a long-lasting Executive. The right approach is to work with all parties without setting timelines.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State avoided setting any specific timeline, focusing instead on the importance of doing it right for the long term.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Colum Eastwood Social Democratic & Labour Party Foyle
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

Health services have deteriorated significantly, with the economy failing to take advantage of opportunities under the Windsor framework.

Question

It has been 15 months without an Executive. Our health service is collapsing and our economy misses out on opportunities due to lack of governance. Should the Secretary of State involve the Irish Government more?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

All efforts are focused on restoring power sharing. I respect the hon. Gentleman's views but believe working with all parties is crucial to restore the Executive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The role of involving other governments was acknowledged but no commitment was made, focusing instead on current efforts and principles.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q6 Oliver Heald Con
Northern Ireland
Context

Changes in EU law affect goods movement, raising concerns about the need for a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly.

Question

May I join in congratulating you on your role during the coronation? The Stormont brake could be vital if changes in EU law impact goods movement. Does the Secretary of State agree that it's important to get the Assembly up?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I thank my right hon. Friend and affirm that getting the Assembly running is essential to use the Stormont brake as needed, ensuring we can discuss matters in forums like the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While acknowledging the need for an operational Assembly, no specific actions or commitments were made beyond affirming its importance.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q7 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Northern Ireland
Context

Historical instability prompts questions on how to ensure a more stable foundation for devolved government.

Question

Power sharing has collapsed several times since its introduction. What work is being done beyond efforts by the Secretary of State to stabilize governance?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

When power sharing works, it delivers significant benefits. Further conversations will happen after the Executive is formed, focusing on stability and the economy's opportunities under the Windsor accord.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While acknowledging past successes and future potential, no specific measures were detailed for immediate stabilisation efforts.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q8 Peter Kyle Lab Hove and Portslade
Northern Ireland
Context

The Windsor framework, a policy success in Northern Ireland, has not led to political progress despite ongoing formal talks between parties. The collapse of power sharing is attributed to the undermining of some communities' rights under the Good Friday agreement.

Question

We have recently been reminded of some of the lessons from the Good Friday agreement. One such is the importance of structures to delivering successful negotiations. From the outside, it is hard to see any formal discussions or negotiations that are under way with the Northern Irish parties or leaders. Will the Secretary of State set out what he is doing to restore power sharing?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. There are ongoing formal talks with the parties, and some negotiations are best done on a confidential basis to avoid other people pulling the threads of the negotiations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete actions being taken to restore power sharing were not specified.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q9 Peter Kyle Lab Hove and Portslade
Northern Ireland
Context

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is opposed by all communities in Northern Ireland, the Irish Government, and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. It undermines the Good Friday agreement.

Question

The Government's analysis of why power sharing collapsed is that, under the Good Friday agreement, the rights and aspirations of some parts of the community were being undermined. By that understanding, however, the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill goes even further in undermining the agreement. Is now not the time for a total rethink on legacy?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

We are on a journey to improve the legacy Bill dramatically. The final Committee sitting is tomorrow and we will be tabling amendments over the next couple of weeks before Report stage, with some other announcements that I am sure he will welcome.

Partly answered

Not addressed: A full re-evaluation was not committed to; only improvements were promised.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q10 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Northern Ireland
Context

Unionist community concerns about the ongoing application of EU law for manufactured goods in Northern Ireland and its divergence from UK law, hindering trade with the rest of the UK.

Question

The political institutions in Northern Ireland operate effectively when there is cross-community consensus. A continuing concern of the Unionist community is the ongoing application of EU law for all manufactured goods in Northern Ireland. That is what we need the Government to address and resolve.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

We are aware of these issues, and there are things that can be done as a Government to solve them. I look forward to further engagement on these matters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions were not detailed; only an intention to engage was stated.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q11 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Northern Ireland
Context

Unionists need assurances that their place in the United Kingdom, enshrined and protected under article 1 of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement, will be preserved through any new arrangements.

Question

If we are to get Stormont restored on a stable foundation, people in Northern Ireland, especially Unionists, need to know that their place in the UK will be equally enshrined and protected in UK law as a result of any arrangements put in place.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I can give that assurance from this Dispatch Box, but I know from our engagement that he would like to see it in other terms as well. That is why I look forward to our continuing conversations so we can work out exactly what the ask is and try to deliver on that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assurances were given; only an intention for further discussion was stated.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)