Live Northern Ireland Questions House of Commons


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questions to the Northern Ireland Secretary, Theresa Villiers, and her

:00:00.:00:12.

ministerial team. THE SPEAKER: Questions to be Secretary of State

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for Northern Ireland. Maria Caulfield. Number one, Mr Speaker.

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Before I answer, I would like to convey my condolences to the family

:00:21.:00:25.

of Adrian Ismay, the prison officer, who sadly died as a result of a

:00:26.:00:28.

terrorist attack, in the period since our last Northern Ireland

:00:29.:00:31.

questions. I would like to extend the same condolences to the family

:00:32.:00:34.

of Michael McGibbon, brutally murdered in north Belfast, in an

:00:35.:00:39.

attack which bears all the hallmarks of a paramilitary assault. Mr

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Speaker, to encourage inward investment in Northern Ireland, the

:00:43.:00:45.

Government has reduced UK corporation tax to be jointly

:00:46.:00:49.

between the G20. We have legislated to enable the devolution of great

:00:50.:00:53.

setting powers to Northern Ireland. We're making progress on the

:00:54.:00:55.

establishment of a new enterprise zone. Thank you. I would like to

:00:56.:01:04.

echo the sentiments and condolences expressed. I thank her for her

:01:05.:01:10.

reply. What benefits does the Secretary of State think this inward

:01:11.:01:13.

investment will bring to the local economy of Northern Ireland, and in

:01:14.:01:17.

particular, what steps are being taken to ensure all communities will

:01:18.:01:23.

benefit? There has been significant investment in Northern Ireland in

:01:24.:01:27.

recent years. It continues to perform beyond many parts of the UK.

:01:28.:01:34.

Recent good news was 110 new jobs or Cookstown, from CDE, 74 new jobs in

:01:35.:01:40.

Belfast and around 70 new jobs in Fermanagh and Omar. We have promoted

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further new job since 2011 and delivered billions of pounds worth

:01:50.:01:52.

of investment in local economy. This will benefit all parts of Northern

:01:53.:01:57.

Ireland. Alistair MacDonald. Thank you. With the Secretary of State,

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she is aware that key companies have had to move outside Northern Ireland

:02:08.:02:14.

to recruit suitably skilled staff. Does she have any suggestions as to

:02:15.:02:17.

how we might ensure a suitable supply of potential staff, skilled

:02:18.:02:22.

and offered the advantages of inward investment? I agree that a skilled

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workforce is crucial to attract inward investment. Northern Ireland

:02:29.:02:32.

has an excellent workforce. With many highly skilled individuals. The

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result was more that could be done. The UK Government has invested

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significantly in apprenticeships. That is reflected in the Barnett

:02:42.:02:44.

consequentials to the block grant. I know apprenticeships is something

:02:45.:02:48.

the Northern Ireland Executive takes seriously. Does the Secretary of

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State agree that airport collectivity is a vital tool in

:02:56.:03:00.

attracting inward investment? Given that Dublin has announced it

:03:01.:03:05.

increasing capacity by 2020, is it not time Her Majesty is Government

:03:06.:03:09.

took a decision on airport capacity in the south-east of England? Yes,

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the Government will make a decision on expansion of airport capacity in

:03:15.:03:18.

the south-east in due course. The Government is clear that new

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capacity is needed and that a decision will be made shortly. Ian

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Paisley. Can I personally thank the Secretary of State for the effort

:03:31.:03:33.

she made in securing 60 70 impound contract for the right group in

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Ballymena, which has been well received their? For the work she did

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behind the scenes in securing this contract. If she appalled, however,

:03:42.:03:45.

by the scare stories and scare tactics being deployed by the Remain

:03:46.:03:51.

campaign, that are turning people away from investment because they

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are scared of the consequences and all this hate activity that is going

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on? Will she ensure that every effort will be made, irrespective of

:04:01.:04:03.

the outcome of the 23rd of June, that money is released to the UK and

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it will be used to encouraging word investment in Northern Ireland?

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Thank you for that question and comments. I did press hard on TfL to

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go through with that contract. I think it is important for job

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opportunities in Northern Ireland. Regarding the referendum, it is

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important for all sides to address the facts of this debate in a

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measured way, so that on the 23rd of June, the people of this country can

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make a judgment based on the objective facts of the situation.

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Number two. The threat level from terrorism in Northern Ireland

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continues to be severe, while many attacks have disrupted and

:04:52.:04:58.

prevented, the callous murder of Adrian Ismay highlights the

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continued threat. The UK Government remains vigilant on combating

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terrorism, giving full support to PSNI and MI5 in crucial work keeping

:05:07.:05:11.

people safe in Northern Ireland. Thank you for so I join in the

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condolences to Adrian Ismay's family. In addition to domestic

:05:16.:05:20.

terror threats in Northern Ireland, what assessment has she made of

:05:21.:05:23.

international terror threat to the province? He will appreciate this is

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a Home Office lead but it is something I discussed regularly with

:05:31.:05:34.

the Home Secretary, P PSNI, the Ireland Justice Minister and other

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relevant people. The Government takes this seriously. The threat

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from international terrorism is severe. That is one of the reasons

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why the strategic defence and Security review made such a strong

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commitment to investing in our intelligence services and on

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counterterrorism spending, including a 30% real terms increase over the

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course of this Parliament, for spending on counter-terrorism. I

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join in the words about the killing of Adrian Ismay. And also in

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relation to the brutal slaying of Michael McGibbon, a father of four,

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shot on Friday in my constituency. Clearly, that was an atrocious

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event. Will she join with me and commend the words of Mr McGibbon's

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widow, who has called for people to stand together against these

:06:22.:06:27.

paramilitary terrorists, who carried out this atrocious attack? Will she

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agree that it is vital that we unite against terrorists on all sides and

:06:32.:06:35.

get on with implementing provisions to tackle this? I wholeheartedly

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agree with his statement. I believe that Mr McGibbon's widow is an

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incredibly brave woman, the circumstances of Mr McGibbon's death

:06:49.:06:55.

are deeply tragic, heartbreaking, and I know the whole House will feel

:06:56.:06:59.

for his whole family at this time. It is utterly acceptable that in

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mortar Northern Ireland, there are still people who believe they can

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take the law into their own hands and administer violent and brutal

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treatment of individuals. It is utterly unacceptable. I agree with

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the right honourable member that everyone in Northern Ireland should

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join the widow in this case and condemn this horrific and brutal

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murder. I'm grateful to the Secretary of State. Would she also

:07:27.:07:30.

take on board the fact that a number of prominent Republicans have been

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arrested in north Belfast recently? Including some on licence. It is

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important she reassures the community that she is keeping under

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review the terms in which people are out on the streets, who are under

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license. Particularly Shaun Kelly, the Shankill bomber. Also, the

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Attorney General's decision to order a review into the RUC, to stop

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terrorists carrying out attacks, would she looked carefully at that

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and speak to colleagues about this? I agree that it is important to take

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seriously revocation of licences. There is a framework for doing that.

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Where there is evidence that a licence should be revoked, this is

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considered with greatest seriousness. I also agree it is

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vital to press ahead with full implementation of the fresh start

:08:27.:08:32.

programme, to eliminate the lingering influence of paramilitary

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groups in Northern Ireland. Their time has passed. They were never

:08:36.:08:39.

justified under any circumstances. And any tolerance of them in

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Northern Ireland today is to be condemned. In relation to the last

:08:43.:08:49.

point about public prosecutor's direction, that is a matter for the

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independent prosecutors. What is her assessment of the terrorist threat

:08:57.:08:59.

from dissident republican groups to mainland Great Britain? Well, the

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threat level is not as severe as it is in relation to Northern Ireland.

:09:08.:09:12.

It continues to be the case that dissident and republican groups have

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aspirations to mount attacks in Great Britain but their main focus

:09:17.:09:21.

continues to be Northern Ireland and the Government will remain vigilant

:09:22.:09:25.

to protect people in Northern Ireland and in the rest of the UK.

:09:26.:09:31.

Thank you. I am deeply sorry that Adrian Ismay became the 31st prison

:09:32.:09:37.

officer to be murdered in Northern Ireland. I hope the memorial garden

:09:38.:09:40.

for prison officers will soon be completed. I want to ask the

:09:41.:09:45.

Secretary of State a question which follows on from the second question.

:09:46.:09:50.

The Secretary of State will know that I have written to her,

:09:51.:09:57.

requesting a meeting, to discuss why Shaun Kelly's licence has not been

:09:58.:10:02.

revoked. Gina Murray, a very dignified lady, her only daughter

:10:03.:10:07.

was murdered in the Shankill Road bombing and she wishes to have a

:10:08.:10:10.

meeting with the signature state to discuss the reasons why his licence

:10:11.:10:15.

has not been revoked. Will the Secretary of State consent to that

:10:16.:10:19.

meeting? I am certainly happy to have that meeting. In terms of

:10:20.:10:23.

timing, we may have to be careful, in terms of the interaction of the

:10:24.:10:27.

decision I may need to make on those matters over the coming weeks. I am

:10:28.:10:30.

sure we can have a meeting at some stage on this matter. Despite much

:10:31.:10:37.

progress in Northern Ireland, there remains a terrorist threat, as we

:10:38.:10:40.

saw with the shocking murder of prison officer Adrian Ismay, his

:10:41.:10:44.

funeral, the Secretary of State and I attended. We send sincere

:10:45.:10:54.

condolences to his family and colleagues. Explosives and

:10:55.:10:58.

bomb-making equipment was found and there has been murders north and

:10:59.:11:03.

south of the border. In her opinion, are individuals acting alone or are

:11:04.:11:08.

they part of a more organised and coordinated Tera Group?

:11:09.:11:13.

Well, there are a number of groupings active regarding the

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terrorist threat in Northern Ireland. The tend not to be terribly

:11:20.:11:27.

cohesive. They have connections north and south of the border. Were

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it not for the dedication and effectiveness of the PSNI and

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partners and MI5, we would see these individuals mounting attacks

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resulting in tragedies such as the one that has the family of Adrian

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Ismay in such despicable circumstances. In recent days in

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Northern Ireland, there have been two terrible shootings. Can I

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associate myself with the remarks we heard earlier. Our hearts go out to

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all the families and those affected. The PSNI say they have all the

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hallmarks of paramilitary assaults. On the streets of this United

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Kingdom, we have shootings and murders linked to paramilitary

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activity. It is both sickening and totally unacceptable. Can the

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Secretary of State tell us more about what happened on what actions

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she, the PSNI and others are going to take against those who have no

:12:36.:12:39.

respect for human life or the rule of law? I think he chooses his words

:12:40.:12:45.

correctly. This is absolutely sickening. I think this case could

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be like a number we have seen over the last decade in Northern Ireland.

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The people say this is completely and utterly unacceptable. The police

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investigation is progressing with the charge of an individual with

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murder, but it is also imperative that we implement the fresh start

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agreement, proposals including progress on the strategy for

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improvement. We need people to come forward with evidence against these

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individuals. That has been a consistent problem. People are

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afraid to give evidence. We need to support and encourage people, to

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make sure they are able to come forward to give evidence. Too often

:13:38.:13:55.

the barriers are health regimes. DEFRA has worked closely with

:13:56.:14:03.

overseas officials and industry to collate concerns. Could I thank the

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Minister for his answer? Would he agree with me that by getting an

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export licence and approvals for Northern Ireland food produce

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already takes too long, the wait for Northern Ireland farmers would

:14:25.:14:30.

become even longer if we were to leave the European Union and

:14:31.:14:35.

renegotiate our trade relationships with some of our nearest neighbours

:14:36.:14:39.

within the European Common market is? It is certainly the case it is

:14:40.:14:45.

in the interest of farmers across the European Union they have access

:14:46.:14:48.

to new markets across the rest of the world. That is one of the

:14:49.:14:53.

reasons that DEFRA is in Washington lobbying hard. We should recognise

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the United Kingdom can do it, but if we do it alongside the EU, we will

:15:03.:15:07.

gain more markets for our farmers and they will go from strength to

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strength. The Minister will know that one of the obstacles to the

:15:16.:15:23.

food sector is BSE and swine flu certificates. Will he ensure that

:15:24.:15:26.

his department will work hard but the veterinary division to achieve

:15:27.:15:33.

this? Sometimes we put all our eggs in one basket regarding China. There

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are many other countries out there that we could do business with. The

:15:37.:15:42.

Secretary of State for DEFRA is an American trying to get these BSE

:15:43.:15:47.

legacy issues removed so we can access American markets to sell our

:15:48.:15:53.

beef. May need to learn from the Republic of Ireland have managed to

:15:54.:15:57.

forge ahead with milk export markets further round-the-world trip. That

:15:58.:16:03.

is why they have a better milk price for farmers than we do for dairy.

:16:04.:16:08.

Ministers have regular discussions with the Northern Ireland parties on

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a range of issues. UK Government will be stronger, safer and better

:16:15.:16:20.

off remaining in a reformed European Union. Many of us were interested to

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see a survey by highly reputable Northern Ireland is business

:16:26.:16:33.

organisation which suggests that 81% of businesses support EU membership.

:16:34.:16:48.

The CBI of Northern Ireland, the Chamber of Commerce and the trade

:16:49.:16:56.

association believes that remaining in the European Union is good for

:16:57.:16:59.

Northern Irish business and good for the economy. That is why the

:17:00.:17:03.

government believes we are better off in. Can I join in the

:17:04.:17:14.

condolences that have already been expressed and can I add condolences

:17:15.:17:23.

to the family of sister Claire Tulisa Crockett, the none from Derry

:17:24.:17:28.

who was tragically killed in the earthquake in Ecuador. Many of us

:17:29.:17:43.

are appreciative of the benefit of the EU at the border. Money would be

:17:44.:17:52.

redirected to Northern Ireland instead of Brussels. Does he believe

:17:53.:18:04.

there is a pot of gold at the end of the Brexit rainbow? There is no pot

:18:05.:18:09.

of gold at the end of the Brexit rainbow. I suggest we get on and

:18:10.:18:17.

focus about doing what is right for Northern Ireland and that is

:18:18.:18:21.

remaining in the European Union. If the UK does decide to leave the EU.

:18:22.:18:27.

There will be an annual ?9 billion hole in the EU finances. As other

:18:28.:18:32.

eastern Bloc nations look to join to get more slices of reducing

:18:33.:18:34.

financial cake come on what opportunities does the Minister

:18:35.:18:39.

believe Northern Ireland companies would have in that context to import

:18:40.:18:45.

into Europe and beyond? We should recognise that Northern Ireland

:18:46.:18:48.

business doesn't agree with the honourable member. I suggest that if

:18:49.:18:56.

on 24 students people voted to leave the European Union, Northern Irish

:18:57.:19:01.

businesses would unfortunately have to deal with the instability for the

:19:02.:19:04.

next two years which would suffer and damage their market. It will not

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have escaped your gaze that we are united on this side of the dispatch

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box. But for months we have had a uncertainty about what will happen

:19:19.:19:21.

to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic in the

:19:22.:19:32.

tragic event of Brexit. Two Sundays ago, we heard that there would be a

:19:33.:19:38.

border. Can we have some clarity on what will happen to the border? Are

:19:39.:19:42.

there any revelations the Minister would like to share with us? The

:19:43.:19:52.

border will still exist. If the UK chose to leave the EU, they would

:19:53.:19:56.

step outside the customs union which would inevitably affect trade across

:19:57.:20:00.

the border which Northern Ireland Assembly thick and on. There would

:20:01.:20:10.

be a slow down of trade. I appreciate that the sceptre of state

:20:11.:20:14.

must feel quite lonely in Belfast these days, given that her views are

:20:15.:20:25.

not shared by the overwhelming majority of people in Northern

:20:26.:20:28.

Ireland. Her colleague said leaving the EU would mean rebuilding the

:20:29.:20:41.

border. They cannot both be true. Myself a milder Bob Friend are

:20:42.:20:45.

united that there will be no return to barbed wire and watch towers

:20:46.:20:50.

should believe remain in the youth. There will be a Northern Ireland

:20:51.:20:54.

that steps outside of the customs union and that would inevitably

:20:55.:20:56.

affect the free flow of trade between the two borders. Delivering

:20:57.:21:11.

economic stability is the government's aim to promote exports.

:21:12.:21:22.

UK TIA economist intelligence unit has shown that young people want to

:21:23.:21:38.

run their own businesses. To do that, we are delivering economic

:21:39.:21:43.

stability. We are cutting national insurance contributions for 3.4

:21:44.:21:47.

million self-employed people. We are working with the Northern Ireland

:21:48.:21:52.

Executive to deliver our start up loans programme for young

:21:53.:21:57.

entrepreneurs and the task force for banking has delivered 60 million

:21:58.:22:03.

finance. At a meeting of the oil and gas

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group,... The government is doing all it can to ensure the UK is doing

:22:16.:22:36.

all it can. I will look into the matter is he raises.

:22:37.:22:49.

I have held a number of constructive meetings with voluntary groups to

:22:50.:22:56.

support and represent victims as well as with victims themselves. She

:22:57.:23:05.

will be aware of the reconciliation work in Warrington. Support is given

:23:06.:23:10.

to those affected in both sides of the Irish Sea. The majority of

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funding is provided by the Irish government and not the UK one. Would

:23:14.:23:20.

she agreed to meet with my to see whether we can do more in this area?

:23:21.:23:26.

I would be happy to do that. I enjoyed my visit to the peace Centre

:23:27.:23:29.

and I have the highest regard for the work done by the Centre and its

:23:30.:23:34.

various programmes to support the victims of Northern Ireland and

:23:35.:23:49.

other victims as well. Order. We are talking about victims of terrorism.

:23:50.:23:56.

This must be treated with respect. How much recognition does the

:23:57.:24:01.

Secretary of State give to the victims groups representing innocent

:24:02.:24:10.

victims of Northern Ireland? I have met a wide range of groups

:24:11.:24:15.

representing victims in Northern Ireland. It is very important we

:24:16.:24:24.

listen to their point of view. And established the Stormont house

:24:25.:24:35.

institutions. The Secretary of State in I take every opportunity

:24:36.:24:39.

supported. The new British Irish Visa scheme in China will enable

:24:40.:24:48.

visits to both countries on a single Visa. Babbling courage tourism and

:24:49.:24:55.

business links. According to Lord Lawson, chair of the vote leave

:24:56.:25:00.

campaign, a British vote to leave the European Union would result in

:25:01.:25:06.

the return of border posts and passport controls between the

:25:07.:25:09.

Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. What modelling has a

:25:10.:25:15.

minister done on how this might affect the ?750 million tourist

:25:16.:25:22.

industry in Ulster? I don't think any to do much modelling. I should

:25:23.:25:27.

let the businesses of Northern Ireland speak for themselves. They

:25:28.:25:30.

believe it would be wrong. The free flow of tourists between Ireland and

:25:31.:25:38.

Northern Ireland is good for our economy. In Milwaukee, people work

:25:39.:25:49.

coming to Dublin and only doing their holiday in southern island.

:25:50.:25:54.

Can ask the Minister is what questions he has had with ministers

:25:55.:26:05.

in the South? The biggest challenge is advertising what it has. It has

:26:06.:26:15.

the golf open and the Balmoral show as well as a cycling event. If we

:26:16.:26:20.

tell people it is on, more people would come north from the South. I

:26:21.:26:26.

wonder if the Minister would look at joining up the Northern Ireland

:26:27.:26:29.

tourism strategy with the tourism strategy for the rest of the United

:26:30.:26:33.

Kingdom? So we can work together rather than just working with

:26:34.:26:39.

Ireland? In all tourism, the best thing is to play to our strengths. I

:26:40.:26:44.

will explore that as an option. I am keen to make sure that tourism in

:26:45.:26:49.

the Republic of Ireland of tales into Northern Ireland Assembly can

:26:50.:26:52.

encourage people into Dublin and the North of Ireland, and look forward

:26:53.:26:57.

to capitalising on the next series of Game Of Thrones. Questions to the

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Prime Minister. Mr Speaker, this morning, I had

:27:04.:27:20.

meetings with ministerial colleagues and in addition to my duties today,

:27:21.:27:22.

I shall have further such meetings this morning. -- today. On her 21st

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birthday in 1947, a young woman declared her whole life, whether

:27:33.:27:37.

long or short, would be dedicated to the service of our nation. Nobody,

:27:38.:27:41.

Mr Speaker, could possibly argue that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

:27:42.:27:45.

has done anything other than fulfil her promise to the nation with

:27:46.:27:52.

dignity and grace. People across the country will

:27:53.:27:53.

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