Live Northern Ireland Questions House of Commons

commons by pressing the red button or online. First we have questions

to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Order ex-mac

order! Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Thank

you and good morning. We Secretary of State and I hold regular

discussions impacting the Northern Irish economy. To see at first hand

the businesses and people that make the company 's strong. I welcome the

Government's ambition to increase the number of companies exporting in

the UK by 100000 by 2000 and 20. What steps are being taken to make

sure that Northern Ireland plays a major role? As a consequence of both

the efforts and this Government's long-term economic plan, I am

delighted to report that the exports have grown 4% over the year. This is

higher than any other country in the United Kingdom. Mr David Simpson. Mr

Speaker, the Secretary of State would be aware that the employees in

the region of 500,000 people. Would she assure us that she will work

alongside the Minister to find new markets which are essential to the

sector, such as India, Mexico and Brazil? The honourable member is

right of the portents of the business. On Monday night we met

with the biggest employers in Northern Ireland. New markets around

the world, not just within the EU but also China and elsewhere. I am

delighted that in me the great campaign to promote UK exports will

be visiting Northern Ireland Ireland I look forward to working with the

Northern Irish executive to make this go from strength to strength.

The honourable gentleman is coming in any few moments. We'll be

Secretary of State commit to research into leaving the EU

Northern Ireland exports and wider economy? Will she commit to meeting

a statement to the House on the economic aspects of Northern Ireland

of a withdrawal from the European Union? Being in the European Union

makes us stronger and safer and I do not think we will be diverted by

commissioning external report about what may or may not happen. The

United Kingdom knows exactly what being in the EU looks like because

we are in it. The reforms will achieve that goal. Margaret Ritchie.

Thank you Mr Speaker. Earlier this week the Cabinet report was

published that stated leaving the European Union would result in the

imposition of customer checks at the Irish border. Does the Minister and

Secretary of State accept the assessment of the Cabinet Office?

What impact would the Government expect custom checks to have an

Northern Irish exports to the south? This is being as. Mr Speaker, of

course as a member of the Government I accept the views but we should not

forget that Ireland and the United Kingdom have a long-standing

agreement which would mean certain barriers would not be in place.

However, if we were to leave the European Union, we would be outside

the customs union and that would lead to some forms of extra barriers

to trade. Mr Speaker, it is no wonder... I don't know how he keeps

a straight face. No wonder the Secretary of State is not answering

these questions. Can I as the Minister, has he discussed with the

executive the survey by the Northern Irish Chamber of Commerce that

showed 81% businesses support continued EU membership? It is

little surprise in that finding, given that 60% of the experts go to

the EU. This is higher than any other part of the UK. Both myself

and the honourable friend discussed this at the Chamber of Commerce on

Monday night in Northern Ireland. If the right honourable member like to

know how I keep a straight face, that across the dispatch box at two

members of the Labour Party who are in favour of replacing Trident. Who

have a leader who will not use it. Exports from Northern Ireland. The

honourable gentleman. We are all amazed at that. That was the bottom

of the barrel to try and find something to say. Can I also asked

the minister? Has he discussed the executive Ministers, building on the

question my honourable friend is made, the fact that of those exports

to the EU, more than one third, well over ?1 billion per year ago to the

Republic. The report that my honourable friend referred to is a

Government report published today, also supported by the Chamber of

Commerce, which raises very real concerns about custom checks having

to be put in place at the border as that will represent a border between

the UK and the EU. I was discussing this last night with Michael Farr

rise. We had a big debate about this. Let me save to the honourable

gentleman, it deserves a better answer than it would be all right on

the night. I think I would have rather have seen a last night banned

Nigel. We believe it is stronger and safer to stay in the EU. We do not

want barriers to further trade. We recognise the importance of trade to

the Republic of Ireland. We are united in making sure that Northern

Irish as Ms prospers and does as best as it can. The long-term

economic plan of this Government is making sure exports and domestic

trade flourishes. The UK Government is supporting the fight against

organised crime delivered through the Northern Irish block grant. 25

million do to be given to tackle pilot militarism. When hundred

million in security funding will support efforts on organised crime

because of the terrorist grouping in that. Mr Speaker, in the first

agreement they committed to a public awareness campaign to increase

understanding of the harm done to all communities by organised crime.

Given the impact this has on businesses, will my right honourable

friend encourage this executive to proceed quickly down this path? A

theme which came strongly out of the fresh start talks was the need for a

whole community approach to tackling organised crime in Northern Ireland.

Continuing the excellent work of the police and partners but also

ensuring that the public are well aware of the harm done by organised

crime and are supported in their efforts to give evidence which is

necessary to bring these individuals to justice and put them in prison

where they deserve to be. Thank you, Mr Speaker, since the National crime

agency has at long last become operational in Northern Ireland,

what efforts have been made to seize the assets of organised criminals

and give them back to committee projects in Northern Ireland? The

take the duties very seriously and I think there will be assisted in that

as a result of the new joint agency task force on cross jurisdictional

crime which will be established by April. It will consist of

immigration forces and the criminal assets bureau. I think that will be

significantly enhance the effort already made under the organised

crime task force on these matters. Thank you, Mr Speaker smuggling as

part of organised crime. What assessments has my right honourable

friend made of the recent fuel marker which has been introduced? Is

it going to be effective enough? The fuel marker was introduced from

April 2015, is six-month report on its use was deposited in the library

of the House in November 2000 and 15. Review suggested it as having a

positive effect but it is to early to see if the results... The results

are positive so far. With the number of police officers having over the

years, the number of groups involved in organised crime has more than

doubled to 150 or possibly more. Does she see any significance in

this? Well, I would emphasise that Belfast in Northern Ireland is one

of the safest places in the world. There is is a convergence problem

with criminality related to pilot militarism. There is, of course,

illegal threat from terrorists. We are determined to support them in

the brilliant work they are doing and they are assisted by a very

strong cooperation in bringing people to justice. In December I

attended a meeting with the Northern Ireland executive. We agreed a new

measures. A joint agency task force has been created in line with the

fresh start agreement. Whilst accepting that there are political

uncertainties in the south as a result of the elections, with my

right honourable friend agree with me that the north and south face

similar difficulties in combating crime, managing offenders and

supporting victims and it is in everyone and's best interest that

the north and south administration work closely together. I agree

entirely and it is the case that security cooperation between the UK

and Ireland is better than it ever has been. I believe it is saving

lives every day in the fight against organised crime and terrorism. Mr

Gavin Robertson. Mr Speaker, it is a stain on our efforts and it took the

Irish Republic after decades of funding and the IRA to secure a

conviction. Does much more need to be done for

those who proliferate and promote terrorism in Northern Ireland, does

she think? I am also convinced that the agreement made in the Fresh

Start Agreement for a new strategy on paramilitary 's, taking the

political parties farther than ever before in condemning the most

forthright ones and the Cross jurisdictional arrangements will

make Northern Ireland a safer place than it is today. Theirs my right

honourable friend share my concern that the introduction of plain

packaging for tobacco products could lead to an increasing cross-border

organised crime? -- does my friend? I think it is vital police do they

can to tackle it. It is taken very seriously. It may be something for

consideration by the new joint agency task force on cross-border

crime. It is serious and those who buy illegal cigarettes are

supporting and funding evil criminals, who are involved in

significant violence. It is not a victimless crime and I anyone to

purchase them. -- I urge anyone not to purchase them. There was

cross-border dimension to the horrific events of August 19 98. May

I, with your permission, say that my friend and I and I'm sure the whole

house extend our profound sympathies to the friends and families of those

who lost their lives. She has referred to cross-border cooperation

and relationships between the garda and the PSNI are

better than ever before. We must never ever allow this to happen

again. I can we will do everything in our power to enhance that

cooperation between North and south. It is crucial and I would like to

associate myself with the comments of sympathy and condolences to the

victims of one of the riderless atrocities that has ever taken

place. -- most vile atrocities. Question for. I have had regular

discussions. Our long-term economic plan continues to deliver for

Northern Ireland. There are 46,000 more people in employment to bury

them in 2010 and wages are up by 5%. -- than they were in 2010. There are

fewer people claiming jobseeker's allowance. Does she agree that this

is a sign the Economic Pact is working? It leads us working more

closely than ever before to rebalance the Northern Ireland

economy and boost jobs. Unemployment is down over 40% from its peak into

February 2013. Real progress is being made, showing working together

as effective at delivering for Northern Ireland. I welcome the very

good news on the economy in Northern Ireland. But, in light of recent job

losses at a factory in Northern Ireland, where companies have

identified high energy costs as a problem, can she say what she is

doing, along with the executive, to try to tackle this? This is a matter

which I have discussed with the executive on many occasions. And I

appreciate the company's concerns. I think it is also right to

acknowledge the grave concern about by people affected by redundancies

at Lombardi A. It is also important to acknowledge that they made it

clear this was part of a global restructuring and there was nothing

that any authorities could have done to change that decision. It'd also

worth noticing that manufacturing is strong and growing in Ireland. --

Bombardier. We will continue to drive forward economic growth. On

that issue, tourism is a major factor that the executive has

invested in. Things like Titanic Belfast and events being brought to

Northern Ireland. What about tourism and Air Passenger Duty, that would

really drive it forward. He will know that EU real constraint just

from reducing VAT on these matters. I'm committed to doing all I Can To

bring more to northern ireland. And, in particular, Titanic Belfast has

been an outstanding success. Could I thank her for the answers so far.

While she can speak eloquently and we are all very pleased about what

has taken place economically. There she agree with me on the need for

her to work closer with Northern Ireland MPs and the executive to

establish a much more robust economic strategy to regenerate the

economy? Rather than see herself just active in policy? I think

closer working is always desirable. I think the economic pact gives us a

strong platform to do that. The fact we have brought the Economic Pact

implementation into line with the process for the Fresh Start and

Stormont House Agreement gives us more opportunities to work with

other pieties to make sure Northern Ireland strides into the future. --

other parties. It set out a number of measures to assist with the

executive's finances, including packages of around 2.5 million,

welfare reform and measures to improve efficiency the public

factor. When she except there is now a major threat to the sustainability

of the executive's finances in her view was -- if her view was to

prevail and the UK left the EU? The government has been stated by my

colleague. The reality is the Northern Ireland executive's

finances are on a more stable footing than they have been for many

years. As a result of the Fresh Start talks, we have set up the

budget crisis. That was threatening to collapse institutions. I think we

should have support from the Labour Party in ensuring that stability.

What assessment has she made about Northern Ireland's financial

position on leaving the EU? What assessment has her civil servants

made? Is she allowed to see it? The government is publishing a number of

documents. As I said, I think we should welcome the dedicated work

done by the UK Government and the Northern Ireland political parties

to settle a budget crisis which was threatening the collapse of the

institutions and the return to direct rule, which would have been a

major setback. The question was meant to be about the Northern

Ireland executive. The gentleman knows he is a cheeky chap. Some

32,000 jobs will be created by the provision of corporation tax. 60% of

those jobs in Northern Ireland come from the small and medium business

sector. What discussions has she had with the Department of enterprise to

ensure that small and medium businesses in effect from that

corporation tax reduction? I have had many discussions over the years

on these matters. We believe the devolution of corporation tax could

have a hugely positive impact on the Northern Ireland economy. That

includes for small businesses. I declare an interest, as a former

consultant to a range of educational initiatives, across all communities.

Number six. The government is committed to improving disadvantage

children. These are largely devolved issues in Northern Ireland. The

executive has the power to address child poverty in areas like health,

and childcare. He doesn't need to declare his interest in the context

of a question. He has already done so. So he can bang on with his

question. Is the minister aware of the children's zone in Belfast? A

programme invented in the community aimed at addressing the disadvantage

in the area. Would he meet with the organisers and share the lessons

being learned more widely? I am aware of that organisation. It was a

very sensitive part of north Belfast. I would be delighted to

meet them. And if he wants to come along, he can. The changes to the

welfare reform system would actually mean more disadvantaged children now

in Northern Ireland, does he accept that? No, I don't. I think the

changes has proved that what we should do is make work pay. That is

having a positive effect, as we see an increase in employment and more

people going out, more people securing a wage. That's the best way

to lift people out of poverty. Number seven. I will answer seven

and ten together. The PSNI and our security partners have our full

support. Funding will increase significantly. They will receive an

additional 160 million to combat the security threat. I remind the house

and are discussing terrorism in Northern Ireland. These are

extremely serious matters. I hope that the next person will be heard.

I welcome the new commitments to the pledge of office. Does my friend

agree that passive acceptance of these values is not OK. I agree that

they will be judged on implementation. Experience in

Northern Ireland says making the declaration of getting the agreement

is only part of the journey. We are determined to see the Fresh Start

Agreement implemented in full. Implementation is going well to set

up a strategy against palatal militarism -- paramilitaries. Will

she take the opportunity to recognise the tireless work of the

Police Service of Northern Ireland and MI5, who try to ensure that

people in Northern Ireland remain unaffected by dissident threats? I

can do that. They have our support, as set out in the Conservative

manifesto for Northern Ireland. Their courage and dedication with

saving lives and they themselves reign one of the main targets for

attacks by dissident republican groupings, so they put their own

safety on the line to defend the whole community. We withdrew from

the European Union, what assessment does she think the police service

will have made in Northern Ireland at the loss of the European arrest

warrant? -- if we withdrew. It is clear and has been set out in a

number of documents. What we have agreed on is the essential nature of

security measures between the UK and Ireland and continuing that whatever

the result of the referendum will be. Will she do what she can to

unite the community in support of this police against terror and will

she agree with me that that job will be made much easier if senior police

officers, who this week took a decision to relocate memorials to

murdered colleagues away from public facing positions in police stations,

into back offices. Relocate that, reconsider that and ensure the

campaign against terror gets support right across the community? I will

certainly reflect on the last point he made about the location police

memorials. I do think it is crucially important to build support

for the PSNI across community. I think the support levels are at

their highest levels and I welcome that. Number eight. The government

remained committed to working with the executive, rebalancing the

Northern Ireland economy. The long-term economic plan is working,

delivering for Northern Ireland. There are 46,000 more people in

employment and in 2010. Wages are more than 5%. The government

recently set up an independent infrastructure commission to ensure

a long-term view on key infrastructure projects. What he

doing to ensure the infrastructure can then it -- commission is

dedicated and can he name some projects? My right honourable friend

the Chancellor has been in touch to make sure that we can ensure it is

UK wide. I am delighted that because of the efforts with the Fresh Start

Agreement that the Northern Ireland executive is well on the way to

invest in new funding and infrastructure, including new roads

and they will get a 21st-century road network that will improve

economic development. Questions to the Prime Minister. Question number

one. Thank you. This morning I