:00:00. > 3:59:59Join me for the round-up at 11pm tonight. First questions to James
:00:00. > :00:20.broken shower. Order. Questions to the Secretary of
:00:21. > :00:24.State for Northern Ireland. Mr Speaker, before I answer thhs
:00:25. > :00:30.question, I'm sure the Housd will want to join with me in condemning
:00:31. > :00:35.the murder of Joe Reilly last week in Belfast. My sympathy is with his
:00:36. > :00:39.family and the local communhty. It's a stark reminder of why we lust
:00:40. > :00:45.continue to work together to ensure that this sort of violence has no
:00:46. > :00:51.place in Northern Ireland. With permission I will ask you qtestions
:00:52. > :00:55.one and three together. The UK and Northern Ireland economics of
:00:56. > :01:01.fundamentals are strong. In Northern Ireland, economic activity hncreased
:01:02. > :01:04.by 1.6% and 64,000 more people are in work since 2010. This me`ns we
:01:05. > :01:09.are well placed to build a stronger economy that works for everxone We
:01:10. > :01:15.welcome the growth in the Northern Ireland economy, particularly as the
:01:16. > :01:19.employment has now fallen shnce Labour's great recession. Also
:01:20. > :01:23.welcome as last week's news about investment. Will my right honourable
:01:24. > :01:30.friend continue to prioritise making a case for Northern Ireland as a
:01:31. > :01:35.great place to be? I entirely endorse his comments and I won't
:01:36. > :01:40.tire in talking about the Northern Ireland economy and underlining what
:01:41. > :01:47.a great place it is. He highlights the issue of investment and outside
:01:48. > :01:49.of London, Northern Ireland is the leading region for attracting
:01:50. > :01:57.investment across a range of different sectors. He's right to
:01:58. > :02:04.highlight the new investment we are seeing.
:02:05. > :02:10.The economy Northern Ireland is doing well. That is my honotrable
:02:11. > :02:12.friend agree that the devolttion of Corporation Tax offers further
:02:13. > :02:22.opportunities to boost the private sector and build a stronger economy?
:02:23. > :02:26.I can underline that we stand by our commitments to the devolution of
:02:27. > :02:28.Corporation Tax powers subjdct to the conditions around fiscal
:02:29. > :02:34.discipline and financial st`bility as agreed in a Fresh Start @greement
:02:35. > :02:40.in the Northern Ireland executive who have indicated they want to see
:02:41. > :02:46.corporation typesetters are on from April 2018 and estimate it could
:02:47. > :02:51.create many more jobs. I john with him about the recent murder that has
:02:52. > :02:55.taken place and support that we redouble our efforts to enstre these
:02:56. > :03:00.things all of the past. Would he agree with me that in terms of
:03:01. > :03:02.building the economy and strengthening the economy of
:03:03. > :03:13.Northern Ireland that investment in infrastructure is vital? Thd delay
:03:14. > :03:18.in the project is about accdss to airports and thoroughfares `nd the
:03:19. > :03:24.rest of Northern Ireland is a bit of a blow to that strategy. Wotld it
:03:25. > :03:28.take the opportunity to reiterate that all EU projects signed off
:03:29. > :03:35.before we leave will be funded even if they continue after we ldave He
:03:36. > :03:42.makes an important point about the continuance of EU funding and he
:03:43. > :03:45.will have noted the statements made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
:03:46. > :03:49.underlining the Government will guarantee funding for structural and
:03:50. > :03:55.investment fund projects signed off until the point the UK leavds the
:03:56. > :03:59.EU. Even where projects continue after we've left. It is important to
:04:00. > :04:02.underline our message and there should be more projects comhng
:04:03. > :04:09.forward and we should continue to benefit from the EU funding until
:04:10. > :04:12.departure. Underlining that important commitment that should
:04:13. > :04:21.allow investments go ahead... On the issue of exports Northern Ireland
:04:22. > :04:26.was the only area last year that actually grew exports by 9.4%. Will
:04:27. > :04:32.he commit the new Department for International trade and work closely
:04:33. > :04:36.with Invest NI to continue `bout positive news along with many other
:04:37. > :04:43.very positive economic indicators for the province? He's right to
:04:44. > :04:49.underline that the value of goods exported from Northern Irel`nd and
:04:50. > :04:56.increase up to ?6.6 billion. That underlines the strength of the
:04:57. > :05:03.economy. Yes, the underlying clearly the UK approach to his work in terms
:05:04. > :05:05.of ensuring there is likely a message of seeing further investment
:05:06. > :05:12.and exports coming from Northern Ireland. My fight shrink is
:05:13. > :05:17.important to the Northern Ireland economy with recent job losses at
:05:18. > :05:20.Michigan, what is the Secretary of State is to save Corcoran
:05:21. > :05:29.manufacturing jobs and help create more in Northern Ireland? I think
:05:30. > :05:32.he's right to highlight the role that manufacturing plays in the
:05:33. > :05:37.Northern Ireland economy. It contributes more than 85,000 jobs,
:05:38. > :05:42.some 10% of employment. The high skill it provides... We will work
:05:43. > :05:46.with the executive over those issues or skills and in terms of sdeing
:05:47. > :05:53.that pathway into employment. It is notable that we've seen record
:05:54. > :05:55.employment levels and want to see that picture continuing and
:05:56. > :06:02.underlining the further invdstment we want to see. The Minister will be
:06:03. > :06:08.at aware that professional services provide jobs for some 31,000 people
:06:09. > :06:10.and generates more than 6% of economic output. What can hd tell us
:06:11. > :06:14.about what the Government is doing to ensure Northern Ireland will have
:06:15. > :06:22.passport if a financial services after Brexit so that the industry is
:06:23. > :06:27.not damage? I can underline to hurt the work I've done secular state to
:06:28. > :06:32.reach out to the business community and establish a new advisorx group
:06:33. > :06:36.were one of the sectors we've been meeting with has been a fin`ncial
:06:37. > :06:40.services sector. We are listening keenly to the information providing
:06:41. > :06:53.as we frame our all UK approach to the negotiations ahead in tdrms of
:06:54. > :06:58.the EU. On the back of the comments about being compensated for losses
:06:59. > :07:01.due to Brexit, the Secretarx of State for Scotland said a fortnight
:07:02. > :07:04.ago that whatever support ptt in place for businesses in the North of
:07:05. > :07:09.England will apply to busindsses in Scotland. Without liturgy phvotal
:07:10. > :07:12.role in Northern Ireland, whll he confirm to the House that hhs
:07:13. > :07:18.Government's policy will apply to Northern Ireland as it would appear
:07:19. > :07:25.to Scotland on the North of England? I can say to him that we take an all
:07:26. > :07:28.UK approach. That's the way the Chancellor has been approaching his
:07:29. > :07:34.announcements in relation to support in respect of post you departure,
:07:35. > :07:37.ensuring we do have a UK wide approach and indeed the preparations
:07:38. > :07:42.he looks forward to it his @utumn Statement. Is that sense of
:07:43. > :07:51.supporting the UK with Northern Ireland being a core part. The Armed
:07:52. > :07:56.Forces covenant is making a real difference in Northern Irel`nd.
:07:57. > :07:59.Funding bids from the fund have been more successful in Northern Ireland
:08:00. > :08:07.than any other part of the TK. Grants made include ?450,000 to
:08:08. > :08:11.combat stress and help veterans mental health. Also, ?6,000 to a
:08:12. > :08:20.nursing home in Belfast to dnable it to a more bed spaces for veterans
:08:21. > :08:25.needing nursing care. Frankly, the response... But on the battlefield
:08:26. > :08:33.Northern Ireland requires these grants. They've not been successful.
:08:34. > :08:38.Does he consider this fellow was Stubbs will it take to addrdss this
:08:39. > :08:45.imbalance cell groups like the on the battlefield to be successful?
:08:46. > :08:55.Can I commenced him for sectring the largest proportion of the bhg parts.
:08:56. > :09:00.The point he makes about securing those from funds is very important
:09:01. > :09:08.and I'm willing to sit and talk about how we can support th`t
:09:09. > :09:12.package. Well at the Ministdr confirm that he and the Secretary of
:09:13. > :09:17.State have the determination and will to eliminate all impedhments to
:09:18. > :09:25.the full implementation of the Armed Forces covenant in Northern Ireland?
:09:26. > :09:30.I don't think I need to go `ny further. Just to reassure, H want
:09:31. > :09:33.the best possible services for our veterans and I want to see that
:09:34. > :09:40.implemented in full and will do everything to ensure that h`ppens.
:09:41. > :09:45.Can I just add to the comments and the Honourable friend that H went
:09:46. > :09:50.there as the minister with responsibility for veterans I was
:09:51. > :09:55.deeply struck and perhaps only an English person can say this, by the
:09:56. > :09:58.complete lack of drive to ensure all local authorities sign up for the
:09:59. > :10:04.military covenant just in the way they do across the whole of the UK
:10:05. > :10:07.and there's no reason why it shouldn't be in effect in Northern
:10:08. > :10:14.Ireland just as it is elsewhere in the UK.
:10:15. > :10:22.I agree and every council should participate. I get an opportunity to
:10:23. > :10:26.meet lots of councils and I know lots are making a massive
:10:27. > :10:28.contribution, but where people are not, I can reassure her, I will push
:10:29. > :10:39.those councils. May I disagree that the covdnant is
:10:40. > :10:43.working especially well in Hreland. There's 100 million for the whole
:10:44. > :10:48.lot. Can we make sure some of it is used to make sure the mechanisms
:10:49. > :10:51.work? We need a nominee on the committee and give the support
:10:52. > :10:59.needed for soldiers and othdr champions get some help.
:11:00. > :11:06.I will support the gentleman if he wants to go onto the committee. I
:11:07. > :11:10.know this is a big issue, I say this as an ex-service personnel person
:11:11. > :11:14.myself, but I want to make sure this works. It is devolved and it is up
:11:15. > :11:21.to the executive to make thhs work. As somebody with a history hn this
:11:22. > :11:28.area, I will assist you with in any way I can to assure it is ddlivered.
:11:29. > :11:32.The shadow of the past crimds heavily over the questions that have
:11:33. > :11:38.been asked and there are many and client graves here. It is now 4
:11:39. > :11:43.years since the atrocity of the Dublin bombing, can I ask the
:11:44. > :11:46.Minister in view of a recent vote, what contact and communicathon he
:11:47. > :11:56.has with the Irish government in this question? First of all, can I I
:11:57. > :12:01.agree, and appalling act 42 years ago and I offer my sympathids to the
:12:02. > :12:04.families of those who are lost. There is a continuing dialogue with
:12:05. > :12:07.the Irish government and thd Foreign Minister, and we will continue that
:12:08. > :12:10.and I am quite happy to havd discussions if you want to know
:12:11. > :12:18.further about the progress we are making. Question number four. With
:12:19. > :12:21.smashing I will ask questions for, six and seven together. I h`ve met
:12:22. > :12:25.and will continue to meet whth counterparts in the Irish government
:12:26. > :12:28.as we went to the challenges and opportunities ahead. The UK and
:12:29. > :12:33.Irish relationship has never been stronger. It is a unique
:12:34. > :12:37.relationship and we will strengthen corporation to help secure the best
:12:38. > :12:41.outcome from the EU negotiations. I think he will agree that thd Common
:12:42. > :12:52.travel area within the UK and open border with Ireland and Northern
:12:53. > :12:55.Ireland have sent us a decade. Will he ensure these arrangements
:12:56. > :13:01.continue and there will be no establishment of hard borders within
:13:02. > :13:04.the island of Ireland? I agree with his comments, the Common tr`vel area
:13:05. > :13:10.has served us well over manx years and we were party to the Colmon
:13:11. > :13:15.travel area before we joined the EU and it is a priority that wd do not
:13:16. > :13:18.return to the borders of thd past. I am pleased to hear the secrdtary
:13:19. > :13:24.reassure us that the Common travel area is a key priority. Givdn that
:13:25. > :13:27.citizens of EU countries will be able to move freely to live and work
:13:28. > :13:31.in the Irish Republic, doesn't that make a nonsense of the Leavd
:13:32. > :13:39.campaign claims that Brexit meat-eating -- Brexit means we can
:13:40. > :13:43.take control of our borders? This government is clear that movement
:13:44. > :13:48.cannot consider as it does today. We are considering carefully mhgration
:13:49. > :13:53.and border policy to ensure it acts in the best interests of thd United
:13:54. > :13:57.Kingdom. Security cooperation between our two countries is vital
:13:58. > :14:01.to fight against organised crime and terrorism. As we leave the DU, will
:14:02. > :14:05.the Secretary of State ensure that this continues to be a priority in
:14:06. > :14:15.his ongoing discussions? I hnto highly agree, there is very strong
:14:16. > :14:19.relationships and practices between the police agencies, these will
:14:20. > :14:23.continue to be valuable in the future and we are determined to
:14:24. > :14:27.maintain it. In discussing these matters that the government of the
:14:28. > :14:32.Irish Republic, we do have ` number of institutions that have bden
:14:33. > :14:35.established including the Northside ministerial Council. Will the
:14:36. > :14:38.Secretary of State in sure that these are the body through which
:14:39. > :14:44.discussions take place and not some ad hoc arrangement? The honourable
:14:45. > :14:49.gentleman rightly highlights the structures that have been in place
:14:50. > :14:51.since the Belfast agreement, the North-South ministerial Council the
:14:52. > :14:55.British Irish Council which will meet again in a few weeks' time
:14:56. > :14:59.These are important and valtable structures that can and will be used
:15:00. > :15:05.in terms of supporting the negotiations ahead as well `s the
:15:06. > :15:08.new joint ministerial committee Given that Her Majesty 's government
:15:09. > :15:12.and Irish government and political parties in Northern Ireland wants to
:15:13. > :15:17.see the special relationship continue and the soft border
:15:18. > :15:20.continue, isn't it thereford incumbent on the European Union to
:15:21. > :15:27.allow us to exit on the terls that will enable us to preserve that
:15:28. > :15:31.relationship? He underlines a very significant point which is the
:15:32. > :15:35.supports that other EU membdr states have provided to the political
:15:36. > :15:39.process in Northern Ireland over many years. It is a point wd have
:15:40. > :15:45.underlined and the Irish gunmen have underlined, and we will continue to
:15:46. > :15:48.do so as we look towards those - Irish government have underlined,
:15:49. > :15:55.and we will continue to do so as we do these negotiations. Charlie
:15:56. > :15:59.Flanagan said that he views his role as the sole guarantor of thd Good
:16:00. > :16:05.Friday agreement as a duty, and he will be ensuring that all aspects of
:16:06. > :16:11.that international agreement will be used. Does the Secretary of State
:16:12. > :16:16.recognised that that will include the need for bespoke and explicit
:16:17. > :16:23.reflection of the key consthtutional precept in the Good Friday `greement
:16:24. > :16:27.in any new treaty? The Irish and UK Government are co-signatorids of the
:16:28. > :16:32.Belfast agreement and I havd said on a number of occasions that we stand
:16:33. > :16:34.behind our commitments. There are unique circumstances that operate on
:16:35. > :16:39.the island of Ireland, that is the Common travel area, other ilportant
:16:40. > :16:45.things like the single electricity market, and we are determindd to
:16:46. > :16:52.find the right solution that serve Northern Ireland well and all of the
:16:53. > :16:54.all Ireland issues. The recdnt referendum, Northern Ireland voted
:16:55. > :16:58.to remain, a large part due to the issues of the border with the Irish
:16:59. > :17:02.Republic. It is a key issue of the Secretary of State and for walking
:17:03. > :17:07.-- working families. What is the policy of the government related to
:17:08. > :17:12.the border? As I have underlined, the government is determined that we
:17:13. > :17:15.will not see a return to thd borders of the past, we will see a
:17:16. > :17:19.strengthening of the Common travel area, work that has been ongoing for
:17:20. > :17:21.many months and continues whth the Irish government, reflecting those
:17:22. > :17:25.important issues he has highlighted on the movement of people, goods and
:17:26. > :17:32.services, but also that sense of politics and identity which is why
:17:33. > :17:35.this is such a priority. He wants to take back control of our borders,
:17:36. > :17:39.and particularly this border, at the same time he says he wants to keep
:17:40. > :17:43.the Common travel area and the current arrangements. Isn't that
:17:44. > :17:47.contradictory nonsense? And will not be the EU that aside in the end
:17:48. > :17:53.because it is the Republic Bader, so what conversations has he h`d with
:17:54. > :17:55.the U on this matter? The honourable gentleman is wanting to get into
:17:56. > :18:03.negotiations that have not started as yet. I would underline hhm that
:18:04. > :18:06.shared will, that shared colmitment between ourselves, the Irish
:18:07. > :18:09.government and the Northern Ireland executive, to support the Common
:18:10. > :18:12.travel area, to see that we do not see a return to the borders of the
:18:13. > :18:20.past and that is the work wd have ahead of us. Mr Speaker, as we have
:18:21. > :18:33.heard this morning, there are huge concerns
:18:34. > :18:39.in Northern Ireland about the specific problems posed by Brexit.
:18:40. > :18:43.One of the fundamental issuds that has not been addressed is the fate
:18:44. > :18:48.of the Good Friday agreement which is in an international agredment,.
:18:49. > :18:51.Can he tell us what mission -- measures he is taking to ensure this
:18:52. > :18:54.is not left behind in the w`ke of Brexit. The government remahns fully
:18:55. > :18:58.committed to the political settlement and the instituthon set
:18:59. > :19:01.out in the Belfast agreement and all of its successors. The key
:19:02. > :19:04.principles established therd, the details that have been taken over
:19:05. > :19:08.successive governments, are things that we do not want to answdr for,
:19:09. > :19:11.that we will be maintaining, and I can ensure him of the focus we are
:19:12. > :19:21.giving to this. Question nulber five. Following my appointmdnt, I
:19:22. > :19:24.established an advisory grotp to ensure the voice of business is
:19:25. > :19:30.heard. It is clear that our focus now needs to be on what we can
:19:31. > :19:36.achieve in terms of trade, jobs and exploit the opportunities of the
:19:37. > :19:40.UK's exit from the EU. The Secretary of State referred a few minttes ago
:19:41. > :19:48.to taking a whole country approach to the EE referendum. -- EU
:19:49. > :19:51.referendum negotiations. He spoke to the British bankers Association
:19:52. > :19:54.recently about the specific needs of the banking industry. If spdcial
:19:55. > :19:58.privileges in terms of the single market are afforded to the City of
:19:59. > :20:02.London, will Secretary of State be asking for the same privileges for
:20:03. > :20:05.Northern Ireland? I would s`y to the honourable gentleman that it is my
:20:06. > :20:10.precisely why I have set up my advisory group, why I am spdaking to
:20:11. > :20:13.individual sectors within the Northern Ireland economy, to ensure
:20:14. > :20:17.their voice is heard as we prepared for the negotiations ahead, and
:20:18. > :20:20.ensure that where there are specific issues and concerns, they are heard
:20:21. > :20:26.as part of those preparations and reflected into the negotiathons
:20:27. > :20:31.Does my right honourable frhend not agree that leading European Union
:20:32. > :20:35.enables the Northern Ireland economy to be rebalanced in favour of the
:20:36. > :20:38.private sector rather than the public sector? Order, far too many
:20:39. > :20:45.very noisy private conversations taking place in the chamber. I can
:20:46. > :20:48.scarcely hear the dulcet tones of the honourable gentleman and I feel
:20:49. > :20:53.considerably disadvantaged. My honourable friend rightly identify
:20:54. > :20:59.the opportunity that we need to look at in terms of seeing greatdr focus
:21:00. > :21:02.on enterprise in the Northern Ireland economy where there has been
:21:03. > :21:07.significant reliance for thd state on employment. We need to work on
:21:08. > :21:11.skills and a virginity is and that is what we are during. We are
:21:12. > :21:19.discussing matters appertaining to Northern Ireland. Northern Hreland
:21:20. > :21:24.members should must be heard. I am sure the Secretary of State would
:21:25. > :21:27.agree with me that the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the
:21:28. > :21:31.businesses in Northern Irel`nd, especially the SMEs, are second to
:21:32. > :21:36.none. Whenever they are facdd with Brexit, they are up for the
:21:37. > :21:41.challenge. And that is a message that I have heard very clearly. Some
:21:42. > :21:45.fantastic innovative business within Northern Ireland, some great family
:21:46. > :21:49.businesses as well. And how we want to support them to take that next
:21:50. > :21:52.step to grow their business, look at those new opportunities for exports,
:21:53. > :22:02.and how we have a great opportunity to do that. Question number eight,
:22:03. > :22:06.please. The government takes part in regular direct discussions with the
:22:07. > :22:11.Irish government through a number of forums including the upcoming
:22:12. > :22:17.British Irish Council. We whll ensure we engage closely with all
:22:18. > :22:25.relevant partners to ensure the best outcome for Northern Ireland. Sorry,
:22:26. > :22:28.Mr Speaker. I would welcome the earlier comments of the Secretary of
:22:29. > :22:32.State about the increase in employment, that is very important.
:22:33. > :22:38.But in the light of the significant damage to the British econoly, as a
:22:39. > :22:41.result of the referendum, the dramatic fall in the value of
:22:42. > :22:45.sterling and the increase in the price of food and fuel, does the
:22:46. > :22:50.Secretary of State access that many businesses in Northern Irel`nd are
:22:51. > :22:53.frightened that the damage hn the Northern Ireland economy will be
:22:54. > :22:58.magnified relative to the British economy? I would reiterate to the
:22:59. > :23:03.honourable gentleman, I think the strong base that we see with record
:23:04. > :23:06.levels of employment, with dxports that have grown significantly, and
:23:07. > :23:10.also continuing foreign dirdct investment, I will continue to
:23:11. > :23:13.champion business in Northern Ireland to underline that Northern
:23:14. > :23:17.Ireland remains open for business, and how we do see a number of firms,
:23:18. > :23:21.how we see a number of firms that are continuing to invest and create
:23:22. > :23:29.jobs and that is something we will continue to welcome. Mr Spe`ker in
:23:30. > :23:33.a constituency that has four counties bordering us from the
:23:34. > :23:38.Republic of Ireland, what specific issues Wilbert Minister be racing
:23:39. > :23:44.with his -- will the Ministdr be racing with his counterparts in
:23:45. > :23:50.Ireland to ensure that can continue? I have had two meetings with the
:23:51. > :23:53.Irish president and the Irish Foreign Minister with more leetings
:23:54. > :23:58.and discussions to come. We have the British Irish Council meeting coming
:23:59. > :24:03.up in a few weeks, clearly the issues around the border, protecting
:24:04. > :24:07.the Common travel area, not seeing a return to the borders of thd past is
:24:08. > :24:17.a priority, but also a shardd objective. If I may say polhtely,
:24:18. > :24:21.spit it out, sufficiently, lan! With the Secretary of State agred with me
:24:22. > :24:24.that over the course of the last few months, there have been reports from
:24:25. > :24:31.the retail and trade in Northern Ireland a along the border of a
:24:32. > :24:35.multi-million pound boom for shoppers in the Irish Republic and
:24:36. > :24:40.we should do more to encour`ge that as we go towards Christmas? I have
:24:41. > :24:44.seen those reports, and certainly when I was visiting a number of
:24:45. > :24:48.towns in and around the border area, they were underlying some of the
:24:49. > :24:57.growth of opportunities, growth and business and that is somethhng we
:24:58. > :24:59.welcome. Number nine, sir. Lr Speaker, the threats from Northern
:25:00. > :25:05.Ireland relating to terrorism continues to be severe. Meaning an
:25:06. > :25:11.attack is highly likely. Our response to terrorism and
:25:12. > :25:14.paramilitary activity is coordinated, effective and fully
:25:15. > :25:21.resourced. This government's focus is keeping people safe and will
:25:22. > :25:28.ensure terrorism never succdeds Does the Minister agree with me that
:25:29. > :25:33.it is damaging to both the security situation in Northern Ireland and
:25:34. > :25:36.the peace process who are former members of the Armed Forces cleared
:25:37. > :25:41.on multiple occasions are now arrested for events that took place
:25:42. > :25:46.14 years ago? Will he agreed to meet me around a broad issue of the case
:25:47. > :25:51.of Corporal Dennis Hutchings? Can I thank him for his question. Criminal
:25:52. > :25:56.investigations and prosecuthons are a matter for the police and the
:25:57. > :25:58.prosecuting authorities, who act independently of government and
:25:59. > :26:02.politicians. The government therefore cannot comment on an
:26:03. > :26:07.individual case. But on the broader issue that he raises, I am lore than
:26:08. > :26:15.willing to discuss with him. Thank you, Mr Speaker. There have been
:26:16. > :26:18.1631 release officers injurdd - police officers injured in the past
:26:19. > :26:22.two years or assaulted whilst on duty, a quarter of all of Northern
:26:23. > :26:26.Ireland's police service. When will the Northern Ireland Office fund and
:26:27. > :26:34.support new recruitment drive to bring us back up to 7800 officers as
:26:35. > :26:38.required? Can I condemn all of those attacks on those officers,
:26:39. > :26:41.absolutely appalling. I would say this is a devolved matter for the
:26:42. > :26:48.executive to make a decision on recruitment and numbers. But the
:26:49. > :26:55.Minister agree with me that the best way to tackle paramedic tre`t
:26:56. > :26:59.activity -- paramilitary activity and criminality is a communhty wide
:27:00. > :27:02.approach outlined by the SDLP in last year's talks, rather than
:27:03. > :27:08.throwing money at paramilit`ry organisations? I understand what the
:27:09. > :27:18.honourable lady says, but jtst to give comfort, we have ensurdd that
:27:19. > :27:21.the money is there, we are working with the executors to be able to
:27:22. > :27:34.deliver that and look forward to a report in the near future.
:27:35. > :27:39.This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. I
:27:40. > :27:47.shall have further such meetings later today. In the Black Country in
:27:48. > :27:54.the West Midlands, we are vdry proud of our long, industrial herhtage. We
:27:55. > :27:55.are also very proud of the recent revival in the fortunes of the