Good Friday Agreement 2026-03-25
2026-03-25
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The anniversary of the Good Friday agreement is approaching, which ended the troubles in Northern Ireland nearly 30 years ago.
What steps are being taken to mark the anniversary of the Good Friday agreement?
On 10 April we will celebrate the anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, which nearly 30 years ago brought an end to the troubles and enabled Northern Ireland to establish a power-sharing Government.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
There is concern about the potential impact of the UK leaving the European convention on human rights, which could undermine a core principle of the Good Friday agreement.
With knowledge that it requires constant political co-operation and public support, its biggest challenge no doubt is the Tory-Reform policy of leaving the European convention on human rights. If the UK left the ECHR, that would undermine a core principle of the agreement. Does the Secretary of State agree that there are some within this Chamber who would wholly compromise the peace in Northern Ireland for short-lived, ill-judged political gain?
I do agree with my hon. Friend, and I do not understand why some are advocating removing the ECHR from the Good Friday agreement. It would be highly irresponsible, and it shows a complete lack of understanding about what the agreement involved.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Good Friday agreement is seen as a beacon of hope for conflict-affected states around the world, and Northern Ireland's young people have shared their experiences and lessons from the agreement.
What is the Secretary of State doing to share the UK's expertise and ensure that others affected by conflict can benefit from it?
I agree with my hon. Friend. The biggest lesson of the Good Friday agreement is that it takes immense political courage to say yes, rather than to go on saying no. To pick up her point, at the end of last year the Foreign Secretary convened the western Balkans countries under the Berlin process at Hillsborough castle, where the First and Deputy First Ministers talked through how Northern Ireland has made this extraordinary progress.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Good Friday agreement recognised the importance of addressing the suffering of victims of the troubles, legislating for which remains unfinished business.
Does the Secretary of State agree that it is time to take action on legislating for addressing the suffering of victims and implementing a border poll?
The provisions relating to a border poll are clearly set out in the Good Friday agreement. There is one criterion that governs such a decision, and at the moment there is no evidence that there is a majority for a constitutional change in Northern Ireland.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to address these issues
Agreement Provisions
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a focus on economic growth for the next Session of the Northern Ireland Assembly, as less money will be coming from GB.
May I urge the Secretary of State to be crystal clear to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland politicians that there will be less money coming from GB, so there needs to be revenue raising and a sole focus on economic growth for the next Session of the Northern Ireland Assembly?
I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that economic growth is the answer to many of the questions that the Executive and the Assembly are facing.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific clarity or commitment regarding funding
Economic Growth
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State is talking up the Belfast agreement, but ignoring that its primary pledge of no constitutional change without consent has been trashed by the Windsor framework.
Does he agree that in any marking of the end of violence a key date is 1994, when the main violence perpetrators, the IRA, finally woke up to reality and declared a ceasefire?
I do not accept the hon. and learned Gentleman's argument in relation to the Good Friday agreement.
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Assessment & feedback
Acknowledgment of Windsor framework impact
Rejection Of Argument
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
There is recognition that there was always an alternative to violence, which was finally achieved when the Good Friday agreement was negotiated and signed.
Does he agree that in any marking of the end of violence a key date is 1994, when the main violence perpetrators, the IRA, finally woke up to reality and declared a ceasefire?
I say to the hon. Gentleman that there was always an alternative to violence—always.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific recognition of 1994 ceasefire
Recognition Of Alternatives
Response accuracy