UK Internal Market Bill Good Friday Agreement 2020-09-30
2020-09-30
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK Internal Market Bill has sparked concerns about its effects on the Belfast Agreement. The Northern Ireland Minister for Justice recently sought clarity on negotiations and protocol delivery, highlighting the need for continued intelligence sharing post-Brexit.
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential effect of the UK Internal Market Bill on the Good Friday Agreement?
This Government will always make sure that the Belfast Good Friday agreement is protected. I speak regularly with my colleagues on that very issue. We will not allow anything to shake our steadfast commitment to it.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide details of recent discussions or specific commitments regarding the UK Internal Market Bill's impact.
We Are Committed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Good Friday Agreement promotes cooperation across the island of Ireland, including in security. The Northern Ireland Minister for Justice sought clarity on negotiations and protocol delivery last week to ensure full preparation.
I thank the Secretary of State for his answer. He will be aware that the Good Friday agreement encourages co-operation across the island of Ireland, including in security. He will know that, last week, the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice said that, to prepare fully, she needed clarity on negotiations and on the delivery of the protocol. What guarantees can he give us that the vital sharing of intelligence and information will continue after Brexit?
As I am sure the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, the co-operation has been shown to work exceedingly well, as we have seen in the past few weeks with the quite phenomenally successful operation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and its partners in the Garda in arresting terrorists. That operation highlights how well that co-operation works on the ground. Obviously, we are very keen to ensure that that kind of co-operation continues after we leave the European Union, and I know that our partners are keen on that as well.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific guarantees for continued intelligence sharing post-Brexit, only referenced successful past cooperation.
Under Review
Response accuracy