:00:00. > :00:00.colleagues. Statement from the Secretary of State to Northern
:00:00. > :00:10.Ireland. James Brokenshire. Thank you very much. With permission I
:00:11. > :00:16.would like to make a statement about the political situation in Northern
:00:17. > :00:20.Ireland. As the house will recall, following the resignation of Martin
:00:21. > :00:24.McGuinness, the then Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland in
:00:25. > :00:28.January, an election took place to the Northern Ireland assembly on the
:00:29. > :00:32.2nd of March and despite intensive discussions in the three weeks
:00:33. > :00:35.following the election, the Northern Ireland parties will not able to
:00:36. > :00:39.reach agreement on the formation of a new executive. In order to
:00:40. > :00:43.facilitate further discussions between the parties Parliament
:00:44. > :00:49.passed legislation immediately before disillusion extending the
:00:50. > :00:55.period in which an executive could be formed under the 29th of June --
:00:56. > :00:57.dissolution. Last Thursday I made a statement in Belfast setting out
:00:58. > :01:01.that while differences remain between the parties come progress
:01:02. > :01:06.had been made and that it was possible for resolution to be
:01:07. > :01:11.achieved. I urged the parties to continue focusing their efforts on
:01:12. > :01:14.this with the full support of the UK Government and as appropriate the
:01:15. > :01:19.Irish government. And in that regard I want to recognise the contribution
:01:20. > :01:25.of the Irish Foreign Minister and his predecessor Charlie Flanagan. In
:01:26. > :01:30.the past few days since the passing of the deadline some progress has
:01:31. > :01:35.continued to be made including on the most challenging issues, such as
:01:36. > :01:42.language, culture and identity. But gaps remain between the parties on a
:01:43. > :01:45.defined number of issues. The government remains committed to
:01:46. > :01:49.working with the parties and the Irish government to find a way to
:01:50. > :01:54.close these gaps quickly in order to reach an agreement which will pave
:01:55. > :01:59.the way for the restoration of devolved government. The Prime
:02:00. > :02:03.Minister has been actively involved following on from her meetings with
:02:04. > :02:07.each of the parties including speaking to Arlene Foster and
:02:08. > :02:11.Michelle O'Neill on Friday night. I continue to believe that a deal
:02:12. > :02:16.remains achievable. And if agreement is reached by will bring forward
:02:17. > :02:23.legislation to enable an executive to be formed possibly as early as
:02:24. > :02:29.this week. But time is short. It has been six months since a full
:02:30. > :02:35.executive was in place to represent the people of Northern Ireland. In
:02:36. > :02:39.that time it has been civil servants and not politicians who have made
:02:40. > :02:44.decisions on spending. Without political direction it has not been
:02:45. > :02:52.possible for strategic decisions to be made about priorities and areas
:02:53. > :02:57.such as education and health. This has created pressures which need to
:02:58. > :03:02.be addressed. And it has led to understandable concern and
:03:03. > :03:07.uncertainty amongst businesses and those relying on public services
:03:08. > :03:13.like as well as the community and voluntary sector. This hiatus cannot
:03:14. > :03:18.simply continue for much longer. There is no doubt that the best
:03:19. > :03:25.outcome is for a new executive, to make those strategic decisions in
:03:26. > :03:29.the interests of all parts of the community in Northern Ireland. It
:03:30. > :03:33.should be for a new executive to make swift decisions on its budget
:03:34. > :03:39.and to make use of the considerable spending power available to it. One
:03:40. > :03:44.engagement between the parties continues and there is prospect of
:03:45. > :03:47.an agreement, it is right that those discussions remain our focus --
:03:48. > :03:53.while engagement. At the same time we will not forget our ultimate
:03:54. > :03:56.responsibility as a government to uphold political stability and good
:03:57. > :04:01.governance in Northern Ireland. In April I made a written ministerial
:04:02. > :04:06.statement that sought to provide clarity for those civil servants
:04:07. > :04:08.charged with allocating cash in Northern Ireland to assist them in
:04:09. > :04:14.the discharge of their responsibilities. There remains ?42
:04:15. > :04:16.million in resources flowing from the Spring Budget and budget
:04:17. > :04:21.transfers from the last financial year which have remained unallocated
:04:22. > :04:27.in order to provide an incoming executive with the room to decide on
:04:28. > :04:31.how it should best be spent. But if we don't see resolution in the
:04:32. > :04:36.coming days, then it will become urgent that we reflect further upon
:04:37. > :04:38.whether clarity is required for Northern Ireland permanent
:04:39. > :04:44.secretaries about the allocation of those resources. In that situation
:04:45. > :04:48.we would also need to reflect carefully on how we might allocate
:04:49. > :04:52.funding made available to address immediate health and education
:04:53. > :04:57.pressures as set out in last Monday's statement on UK Government
:04:58. > :05:01.financial support from Northern Ireland recognise a Northern
:05:02. > :05:05.Ireland's particular circumstances. And if no agreement is reached,
:05:06. > :05:12.legislation in Westminster may then be required to give authority for
:05:13. > :05:17.the expenditure of Northern Ireland departments through an
:05:18. > :05:19.appropriations bill. From my conversations with the head of the
:05:20. > :05:25.Northern Ireland civil service we have not reached that critical point
:05:26. > :05:30.yet. But that point is coming. And the lack of a formal budget is not
:05:31. > :05:36.something that can be sustained indefinitely. Similarly decisions on
:05:37. > :05:40.capital expenditure and infrastructure and public service
:05:41. > :05:45.reform in key sectors like the health service cannot be deferred
:05:46. > :05:50.for much longer. One area on which there is much consensus is on the
:05:51. > :05:55.need for greater transparency around political donations. And in line
:05:56. > :05:58.with the commitments set out in the Conservative Party's Northern
:05:59. > :06:02.Ireland manifesto at the general election I can confirm that I intend
:06:03. > :06:05.to bring forward legislation that will provide for the publication of
:06:06. > :06:14.all donations and loans received by Northern Ireland parties on or after
:06:15. > :06:17.the 1st of July 20 17. All of this reinforces further the importance of
:06:18. > :06:23.the parties coming together and reaching an agreement. And it sets
:06:24. > :06:30.out some of the hard choices we face if uncertainty persists. I'm also
:06:31. > :06:35.conscious that with the deadline passed I'm under a duty to set a new
:06:36. > :06:40.date for new election. And I will continue to keep that duty under
:06:41. > :06:45.review. But it seems unlikely that that word of itself resolve the
:06:46. > :06:49.current political impasse or the ultimate need for political
:06:50. > :06:53.decision-making however we proceed. As the government for the whole
:06:54. > :06:57.United Kingdom we will also govern in the interests of all those within
:06:58. > :07:04.the United Kingdom, and so if resolution were to prove intractable
:07:05. > :07:07.and the executive could not be restored, we would be ready to do
:07:08. > :07:11.what is needed to provide that political decision-making in the
:07:12. > :07:15.best interests of Northern Ireland. But I can clear that the return of
:07:16. > :07:20.inclusive devolved government by a power-sharing executive is what
:07:21. > :07:25.would be profoundly in the best interests of Northern Ireland. And
:07:26. > :07:30.that will remain our overriding focus in the crucial days ahead. UK
:07:31. > :07:35.Government will continue to govern in the interests of everyone in
:07:36. > :07:39.Northern Ireland by providing political stability and keeping an
:07:40. > :07:41.open dialogue with the parties and with the Irish government in
:07:42. > :07:48.accordance with the well-established three standard approach. I stand
:07:49. > :07:51.ready to do what is necessary to facilitate the quick formation of an
:07:52. > :07:55.executive once an agreement is reached and that is where our focus
:07:56. > :08:02.will lie. I commend this statement to the House. Owen Smith. May I
:08:03. > :08:08.begin by thanking the Secretary of State for advancing his statement
:08:09. > :08:13.and his good efforts to keep me updated on progress in the talks and
:08:14. > :08:17.I know that he and the Foreign Minister have been working very hard
:08:18. > :08:21.as have all the parties to narrow the gap between them on the
:08:22. > :08:25.outstanding issues in particular in respect of languages and culture and
:08:26. > :08:28.identity as he said. I welcome the fact that he hasn't come here today
:08:29. > :08:36.to save the shutters are coming down on the talks and that he is still
:08:37. > :08:38.optimistic -- to say. He has sustained a slightly surprising
:08:39. > :08:42.optimism that a deal might be done this week. People in Belfast and
:08:43. > :08:45.across Northern Ireland will have heard his contention that there
:08:46. > :08:48.remains the prospect of a deal and if that is achieved he should know
:08:49. > :08:52.he will enjoy our support on this side of the house to put in place
:08:53. > :09:00.whatever legislation is misery in order to get the executive reformed
:09:01. > :09:03.-- is necessary. But there will be frustration amongst many Northern
:09:04. > :09:08.Ireland citizens that fully six months after the executive broke
:09:09. > :09:11.down little more than a week before the marching season reaches its
:09:12. > :09:16.apogee of the 12, that we still remain at this impasse and there
:09:17. > :09:21.likelihood of his surmounting it in likelihood of his surmounting it in
:09:22. > :09:25.a few short days, so hard questions must now be asked about what wore
:09:26. > :09:30.his government can do to assist the parties in moving forward. It is
:09:31. > :09:34.encouraging that the Prime Minister picked up the phone to the leaders
:09:35. > :09:39.of the DUP and Sinn Fein on Friday night but I would invite the
:09:40. > :09:42.Secretary of State in this new spirit of free speech that seems to
:09:43. > :09:45.be abroad in the Conservative Party to agree with me that the Prime
:09:46. > :09:49.Minister could do a bit more and that he could tell her to get a bit
:09:50. > :09:53.more involved herself and to get on a plane to Belfast. I'm sure Arlene
:09:54. > :10:01.Foster wouldn't mind lending hers for a weekend. History has told us
:10:02. > :10:04.on this side of the house and on his that the involvement, the direct
:10:05. > :10:07.involvement of the Prime Minister can sometimes help bridge the divide
:10:08. > :10:13.in Northern Ireland and it can move things forward and it is a surprise
:10:14. > :10:17.that this Prime Minister continues to seem reluctant to take personal
:10:18. > :10:22.responsibility to break the deadlock. I think myself and many in
:10:23. > :10:26.Northern Ireland would feel that the current Prime Minister has a
:10:27. > :10:29.particular duty to take some personal responsibility to get more
:10:30. > :10:34.involved, as it was her decision last April to call a general
:10:35. > :10:41.election that lengthened the hiatus, and took us so close to July the
:10:42. > :10:50.12th. It is also her reliance on the DUP, a legitimate alliance, but her
:10:51. > :10:55.reliance is being cited by other interlocked is in the talks as part
:10:56. > :10:58.of the reason for the impasse. So I agree with the Secretary of State
:10:59. > :11:01.that the hiatus can't continue for much longer but I would like to hear
:11:02. > :11:07.more from him about what he's going to do to resolve it because if it is
:11:08. > :11:12.with greater hands-on involvement by the Prime Minister, does he think
:11:13. > :11:16.there's a role for a new independent impartial international chairman of
:11:17. > :11:23.the talks with fresh eyes and a new mandate? In the past that has played
:11:24. > :11:26.an important part in terms of shifting things, and I noted to be
:11:27. > :11:30.coded warning that he gave, quite rightly, that if a wave forward
:11:31. > :11:34.isn't found he will have to bring forward further budgetary transfers
:11:35. > :11:38.to give extra clarity and certainty to the Northern Ireland civil
:11:39. > :11:42.service and that might be necessary, and if so he will enjoy our support.
:11:43. > :11:46.But I'm not sure it will provide much of a spur to the parties
:11:47. > :11:51.involved because they are used to this limbo land now for the next six
:11:52. > :11:55.months and he agrees with me that it is profoundly unsatisfactory for
:11:56. > :12:01.strategic decisions to be put off over Northern to be the hands of
:12:02. > :12:03.elected civil servants, no matter how confident they are, and
:12:04. > :12:08.appropriations bill might prove to be a bigger spur but some will see
:12:09. > :12:13.that effectively, and he will know, as a return to direct rule. And that
:12:14. > :12:19.is a position that he will wish to avoid and I would urge him to take
:12:20. > :12:23.all possible steps to avoid it. May I welcome the decision the Secretary
:12:24. > :12:27.of State has taken to legislate for publication of all political loans
:12:28. > :12:30.and donations received by parties in Northern Ireland after the 1st of
:12:31. > :12:36.July, as an important step in normalising the politics of Northern
:12:37. > :12:40.Ireland. It might strike some a bit ironic in light of the recent deal
:12:41. > :12:43.with the DUP. Does he intend that the thresholds that will apply to
:12:44. > :12:49.that legislation are the same that apply presently to donations and
:12:50. > :12:51.loans across the rest of the UK? Will the same requirement applied
:12:52. > :12:58.that all donors are registered voters in the UK also apply? May I
:12:59. > :13:02.say to the Secretary of State that I'm sure you agree with me that
:13:03. > :13:06.Northern Ireland needs its assembly and executive up and running as soon
:13:07. > :13:10.as possible. There is no greater illustration than the fact that we
:13:11. > :13:14.are now entering the negotiations in earnest on Brexit and Northern
:13:15. > :13:19.Ireland effectively has no voice. At that negotiation. Certainly not one
:13:20. > :13:25.that reflects the traditions and cultures in heritage of Northern
:13:26. > :13:29.Ireland. There is an absolute imperative that we get the executive
:13:30. > :13:33.back on its feet and that Northern Ireland has its voice restored and
:13:34. > :13:37.I'm sure he will join with me in urging all members and all parties
:13:38. > :13:41.to make sure that happens as soon as possible.
:13:42. > :13:48.I would join with the right honourable gentleman in underlining
:13:49. > :13:54.that core message he ended with, and I appreciate and welcome the support
:13:55. > :13:59.he has given to the government, if we are able to reach that point
:14:00. > :14:02.where agreement is concluded, and to be able to move swiftly in this
:14:03. > :14:08.house. I appreciate the opportunity we have had to discuss these issues
:14:09. > :14:14.over the last few days and will certainly be maintaining that
:14:15. > :14:18.dialogue with him. He raises a number of points, in particular he
:14:19. > :14:22.highlighted the issue of frustration that people of Northern Ireland
:14:23. > :14:25.feel. I think there are so many people who will be frustrated in not
:14:26. > :14:34.seeing the deal having been concluded thus far. And therefore
:14:35. > :14:36.how we can see that conclusion and seeing a power-sharing executive,
:14:37. > :14:41.and inclusive power-sharing executive getting on and making
:14:42. > :14:44.decisions in the best interests of Northern Ireland by locally elected
:14:45. > :14:49.politicians. I know that's a theme that binds us together. He asked
:14:50. > :14:54.about the engagement of the Prime Minister, who has been involved in
:14:55. > :14:58.this throughout the process. She met all the leaders of the political
:14:59. > :15:03.parties here in London, has maintained contact throughout that
:15:04. > :15:08.time, and, as I indicated, has also spoken to the leaders of the two
:15:09. > :15:12.main parties in recent days, as she had done recently. He will also
:15:13. > :15:14.reflect and recognise that particular interventions may not
:15:15. > :15:21.necessarily have the desired outcome. I know from his previous
:15:22. > :15:25.time when he was involved in matters related to Northern Ireland, a long
:15:26. > :15:29.time at places like Leeds Castle, that did not lead to that outcome
:15:30. > :15:33.that he himself would have wished for at that time. There are
:15:34. > :15:37.different solutions and scenarios that present themselves in different
:15:38. > :15:42.cases. I would say that there is a defined number of issues that remain
:15:43. > :15:47.outstanding, and it's that focus and attention we need to give at this
:15:48. > :15:53.time, rather than extending out and changing the whole dynamic. But
:15:54. > :15:57.obviously we will continue to keep matters under careful review. The
:15:58. > :16:01.whole point is that resolution should be capable, if the
:16:02. > :16:08.willingness is there. And therefore it is with that urgency that we must
:16:09. > :16:12.approach the days ahead. There is opportunity here. I spoke about the
:16:13. > :16:17.additional funding that could be available to an executive to use to
:16:18. > :16:20.act and take some of those strategic decisions. I think it's so
:16:21. > :16:26.profoundly in Northern Ireland's interest to see that is the case
:16:27. > :16:32.from locally elected politicians. I will set out perhaps to The Right
:16:33. > :16:36.Honourable gentleman in relation to transparency issues on political
:16:37. > :16:40.donations. I think that's the best way, and I will put a letter in the
:16:41. > :16:45.house library setting out further detail. I will introduce further
:16:46. > :16:50.legislation to spell all that out so everybody can see clearly the next
:16:51. > :16:54.steps. Order consistent with what I said to the house last week, I'm
:16:55. > :16:58.keen to uphold the tradition that members wishing to take part in
:16:59. > :17:02.exchanges on a statement should be those and only those who were here
:17:03. > :17:06.at its start. I don't mean to embarrass individuals. I know a
:17:07. > :17:10.couple of individuals came in late and graciously not standing, but
:17:11. > :17:14.that is not uniform. Those who are standing, shouldn't be doing so. It
:17:15. > :17:17.is quite wrong to wander in a halfway through the statement and
:17:18. > :17:22.then expect to be called. Some people might even think it's a tad
:17:23. > :17:28.arrogant. But there you go. Mr Laurence Robertson. Thank you Mr
:17:29. > :17:31.Speaker. Can I ask the Secretary of State, regardless of the
:17:32. > :17:34.difficulties or disagreements in Northern Ireland among the parties,
:17:35. > :17:39.isn't it the case that those issues should be sorted out within the
:17:40. > :17:44.Assembly and the executive, and not in this place, or is it the case
:17:45. > :17:51.that maybe one party or more are actually looking for a rewriting of
:17:52. > :17:54.the rules? I'm grateful to my right honourable friend for his continued
:17:55. > :17:59.focus on issues relating to Northern Ireland. In the last Parliament and
:18:00. > :18:04.also in his chairmanship of the select committee. I think all
:18:05. > :18:08.parties are focused on seeking an outcome here and seeing that we have
:18:09. > :18:11.a functioning executive rather than fundamental changes to the rules. I
:18:12. > :18:18.think that's where our attention should be given. As he indicates
:18:19. > :18:22.from his question, that's where I think he realises decision-making
:18:23. > :18:27.should be taken, within Northern Ireland, within the Assembly and
:18:28. > :18:30.Executive, acting within the best interests of Northern Ireland. It's
:18:31. > :18:36.disappointing to say the least that there hasn't been a deal made and
:18:37. > :18:40.the proper government of Northern Ireland cannot restart. Will the
:18:41. > :18:44.Secretary of State accept that his party's deal with the DUP makes
:18:45. > :18:49.reaching a deal more difficult? Does he consider the link between his
:18:50. > :18:53.ministerial colleague, the Parliamentary undersecretary in the
:18:54. > :18:56.Department of executing the European Union, and the parliamentary
:18:57. > :19:00.research Council that may the questionable donation to the DUP to
:19:01. > :19:05.be an additional and unwelcome convocation? And why did it take
:19:06. > :19:07.three years from a consultation of increasing transparency in Northern
:19:08. > :19:13.Ireland. Additional donations to get to the position where the government
:19:14. > :19:16.is now announcing it will bring legislation forward? Pea surrounding
:19:17. > :19:23.this whole affair at times makes it increasingly difficult to trust that
:19:24. > :19:29.there is impartiality in the government. -- the Merc. What can he
:19:30. > :19:34.do to restore confidence in the government's impartiality? Lastly,
:19:35. > :19:39.the devolved administrations are supposed to be involved in the
:19:40. > :19:41.Brexit negotiations. Can the Secretary of State say who is
:19:42. > :19:47.providing input from Stormont, and whether this is less or more than
:19:48. > :19:51.that provided by Scotland and Wales. And what invitations were made to
:19:52. > :19:54.him from the Secretary of Scotland, about the deal done between the
:19:55. > :20:05.government and the DUP. There is a certain amount of harumphing, but
:20:06. > :20:15.she was fully 36 seconds within her time. That is a matter of stylistic,
:20:16. > :20:17.or even on the part of the right honourable gentleman, aesthetic
:20:18. > :20:23.objection, but it cannot be said to be a matter of order. It may not
:20:24. > :20:26.surprise the honourable lady to say that no, I don't agree with the
:20:27. > :20:33.analysis she has just set out in her questions. We stand. Wear with our
:20:34. > :20:41.undertakings under the Belfast agreement and its successors, and
:20:42. > :20:49.the agreement. It is not contravening the agreement itself.
:20:50. > :20:53.She highlights the issue of political donations and
:20:54. > :20:56.transparency. I would say to her that we conducted a consultation
:20:57. > :21:00.with all the political parties in Northern Ireland is to seek their
:21:01. > :21:06.views first. That was the reason why we took the decision we have done
:21:07. > :21:11.today, reflecting on those views, reflecting on that input and that
:21:12. > :21:15.was the commitment in my own party's manifesto. She also highlights the
:21:16. > :21:23.issue of Brexit and contact with the Northern Ireland executive. There
:21:24. > :21:26.aren't elected politicians there, so we have sought to engage with
:21:27. > :21:31.Northern Ireland's civil service within the executive, but that can
:21:32. > :21:35.only take us so far, and why I profoundly believe we want to see an
:21:36. > :21:38.executive in place to be the additional voice for Northern
:21:39. > :21:42.Ireland strongly making the points and ensuring that alongside them we
:21:43. > :21:50.have the best deal possible for Northern Ireland in the EU exit.
:21:51. > :21:53.Extraordinary state of affairs. I was planning on calling The Right
:21:54. > :21:57.Honourable gentleman, but he now seems disengaged from the
:21:58. > :22:00.proceedings. He toddled up to the chair, I thought he was interested
:22:01. > :22:08.and I thought he would speak. Mr Patterson. I have to apologise. I am
:22:09. > :22:12.grateful for you to calling me. Can he confirm that unless we have a
:22:13. > :22:14.fully up and running executive, we cannot implement corporation tax
:22:15. > :22:18.that will benefit every single citizen. I thought the right
:22:19. > :22:23.honourable gentleman had come up to the chair and muttered some prosaic
:22:24. > :22:26.pleasantry, which I readily greeted. It was very honest of him to say
:22:27. > :22:35.that he was, I didn't know he was, and as far as I was concerned, he
:22:36. > :22:39.wasn't! Secretary of State. Regrettably, in answer to my right
:22:40. > :22:43.honourable friend's question, the answer is without an executive in
:22:44. > :22:46.place, the devolution of corporation tax cannot happen, and I think it
:22:47. > :22:53.underlines one of many reasons why an executive is needed to get onto
:22:54. > :22:55.CD vision of prosperity and further investment is taking place, and how
:22:56. > :23:03.an executive would certainly aid that. We welcome the statement. For
:23:04. > :23:07.the rapid comedy Democratic Unionist Party was ready last Thursday to
:23:08. > :23:13.form a government and appoint our ministers. There is no question of
:23:14. > :23:16.any reticence on our part about forming an executive and we have
:23:17. > :23:23.been encouraged by the government to do so. In addition to legacy, will
:23:24. > :23:29.the government proceeds to publish the proposals on legacy in an event
:23:30. > :23:33.and executive is not performed? We welcome what the Secretary of State
:23:34. > :23:38.has said on donations. We support that. Will this extend to include
:23:39. > :23:41.donations that are rooted by the Republic of Ireland to political
:23:42. > :23:49.parties operating in Northern Ireland? Is the right honourable
:23:50. > :23:52.gentleman may know, the consultation we ran in relation to political
:23:53. > :23:57.transparency was on the narrow elements that were contained within
:23:58. > :24:00.that. I know there are other issues and points that have been made,
:24:01. > :24:06.including the matter that he has referenced in his own question. They
:24:07. > :24:14.will remain under consideration. I also want to come back on his point
:24:15. > :24:20.in respect of the issue of legacy. I think there is growing consensus
:24:21. > :24:26.that we need to get on, get that consultation out there and show
:24:27. > :24:31.everyone the work that has gone in around the fermentation of the
:24:32. > :24:35.Stormont house bodies, actually starting to see that coming into
:24:36. > :24:38.effect. I hope we will be able to move forward with that, and it will
:24:39. > :24:46.take place following the establishment of an executive. Isn't
:24:47. > :24:49.the simple truth this, that whereas the Democratic Unionist Party have
:24:50. > :24:58.managed to obtain ?1 billion from the Treasury to spend on people of
:24:59. > :25:03.Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams, those refusing to reform the
:25:04. > :25:06.executive, are going to be in no position, is because there will be
:25:07. > :25:10.no Sinn Fein minister in the executive, to make sure their
:25:11. > :25:15.citizens constituents get the equal share of the money. Because the
:25:16. > :25:21.money will be spent by ministers in this place by civil servants in
:25:22. > :25:25.Northern Ireland. I think the simple point is by having an executive
:25:26. > :25:29.there, a First Minister, and executive First Minister and others,
:25:30. > :25:33.they will be able to make decisions on budgets, on all issues across the
:25:34. > :25:39.whole of the community. The funding that has been outlined on issues
:25:40. > :25:43.such as health, education, mental health, infrastructure and broadband
:25:44. > :25:46.are profoundly for everyone across Northern Ireland, all communities
:25:47. > :25:50.and how they will benefit from that. That underlines the need to have
:25:51. > :25:57.that executive and to see that locally elected politicians are the
:25:58. > :26:00.ones making those decisions. We are all pleased the Secretary of State
:26:01. > :26:05.has said to us a deal is still possible within the next few days.
:26:06. > :26:11.He will know as well as I do that trust is imperative in these talks.
:26:12. > :26:15.Can he explain further why he is so reluctant to seal the deal between
:26:16. > :26:19.the two sides in Northern Ireland, why are so reluctant to get the
:26:20. > :26:26.Prime Minister and Taoiseach to go to Northern Ireland and get the
:26:27. > :26:30.final things done to get the deal done? I hear the point the right
:26:31. > :26:34.honourable gentleman makes in relation to this. I would stress the
:26:35. > :26:38.Prime Minister has been actively involved throughout this whole
:26:39. > :26:42.process. In having those meetings with all the party leaders, and in
:26:43. > :26:47.talking she had a further conversation with the Taoiseach last
:26:48. > :26:52.week about how matters were progressing and receiving updates
:26:53. > :26:57.from myself and the Irish Foreign Minister to the Taoiseach as well.
:26:58. > :27:01.To the extent that further interventions are required, we will
:27:02. > :27:04.always keep that under review to see what will effectively bring about
:27:05. > :27:12.resolution and see the executive I know he and I want to see in place.
:27:13. > :27:16.Oliver Letwin. I of course understand the points my right
:27:17. > :27:20.honourable friend is making about this situation can't go on forever.
:27:21. > :27:25.One of the virtues required, and one of the many virtues in his arduous
:27:26. > :27:30.post, is patience. I hope he can assure the house he will exhibit
:27:31. > :27:36.that even beyond the level of the proverbial Saint, in order to get in
:27:37. > :27:41.place the new executive. I'm grateful to my right honourable
:27:42. > :27:45.friend for his support and his indication that some patience is
:27:46. > :27:48.needed, but I would equally underlying to him that there has
:27:49. > :27:51.been a lot of patients exhibited up to now. There is a lot of
:27:52. > :27:55.frustration among the public of Northern Ireland who want to see
:27:56. > :27:59.services for them acting in a way that needs to be undertaken to see
:28:00. > :28:03.the sort of transformation that needs to happen in certain key
:28:04. > :28:09.services, and why an executive is so desperately needed at the earliest
:28:10. > :28:12.opportunity, to see politics performing for the best interests of
:28:13. > :28:18.Northern Ireland and see that change happen. Alistair Carmichael. You
:28:19. > :28:26.know I don't afternoon hanker after the days of Tony Blair -- I don't
:28:27. > :28:31.often hanker. Under his stewardship we would have seen not just
:28:32. > :28:38.involvement by the Prime Minister, but also making an active statement
:28:39. > :28:42.to the house. It is with regret that the Prime Minister is not here
:28:43. > :28:46.today. The Secretary of State is quite right when he says we need
:28:47. > :28:49.transparency around political negotiations, but he must be aware
:28:50. > :28:57.the house has already expressed its view on this. The date has been set
:28:58. > :29:03.as the 1st of January 2014 so why does he now seek to change that?
:29:04. > :29:09.It is about compliance with the regulations to see that those making
:29:10. > :29:13.donations are able to make those determinations based on the law that
:29:14. > :29:18.is in existence rather than looking at retrospection, but clearly there
:29:19. > :29:21.will be further opportunity for the house to debate this issue but I
:29:22. > :29:26.think that is the clearest way of doing it. Doctor Julian Lewis.
:29:27. > :29:33.Whilst the political situation remains in limbo in Northern Ireland
:29:34. > :29:39.elderly and frail British former soldiers are even now being brought
:29:40. > :29:45.before the courts on serious charges whilst multiple terrorist murderers
:29:46. > :29:49.walk free having served either derisory sentences or none at all
:29:50. > :29:52.McCann the Secretary of State assure us that the government remains
:29:53. > :29:59.focused on rectifying this inequality of treatment? -- can be
:30:00. > :30:04.Secretary of State. I know that this is an issue that you have raised
:30:05. > :30:08.consistently in this house and others, as well, and I commend them
:30:09. > :30:13.for the focus they have given, but what I would say, as a government we
:30:14. > :30:18.remain committed to implementing the Stormont house institutions and that
:30:19. > :30:22.reform that is about fair and balanced and proportionate efforts
:30:23. > :30:27.in respect of the investigations of the past. That is what the agreement
:30:28. > :30:35.sets out very clearly, in applying the rule of law, but as I have said
:30:36. > :30:40.before, I will never tire from the recognition that I have and others
:30:41. > :30:44.across government have body tied his contribution that so many in our
:30:45. > :30:54.security and Armed Forces provided to make sure that we have the piece
:30:55. > :31:01.today -- will not tire of the contribution. When we established a
:31:02. > :31:05.bold government in 2007, we did that because the Prime Minister of the
:31:06. > :31:12.day spent 80 hours in St Andrews hands-on dealing with all parties
:31:13. > :31:18.with the tea shop of Ireland -- establish a devolved government. The
:31:19. > :31:21.point I want to ask though, given the billion pounds that is being
:31:22. > :31:26.expended by the government, could he assure the house that no expenditure
:31:27. > :31:29.decision will be taken in the absence of devolved government by
:31:30. > :31:37.civil servants on expenditure priorities for that money? What I
:31:38. > :31:42.would say is that there are clear needs in Northern Ireland which is
:31:43. > :31:47.why I made the point that I did around the potential need for
:31:48. > :31:50.further clarification is in the Northern Ireland civil service in
:31:51. > :31:54.respect of budgetary issues, and also I would underline that last
:31:55. > :31:58.week's statement recognised the particular needs and circumstances
:31:59. > :32:01.of Northern Ireland and how there are urgent and pressing priorities
:32:02. > :32:06.and that is why I think an executive needs to be put into place but
:32:07. > :32:09.clearly acting in the best interests of Northern Ireland we will keep
:32:10. > :32:12.that closely under review if the executive is not possible to be
:32:13. > :32:21.formed in the coming days. Vicky Ford. I would like to ask about the
:32:22. > :32:25.situation on board are especially regarding Brexit negotiations and as
:32:26. > :32:28.a member of the house that was born in Northern Ireland I know how
:32:29. > :32:34.important it is to not go back to the hardboard I remember from my
:32:35. > :32:38.childhood. Given that the British negotiators and EU negotiators have
:32:39. > :32:42.said they do not wish to see a hardboard, how soon can we make sure
:32:43. > :32:46.that this situation is resolved in order to make that the people of
:32:47. > :32:52.Northern Ireland know that their future is more certain? -- hard
:32:53. > :32:56.border. As you will know from your experience, the issue of Northern
:32:57. > :33:01.Ireland is a priority item in the Brexit negotiations and that
:33:02. > :33:05.discussions have commenced and indeed the work that we continue to
:33:06. > :33:09.do in that regard, providing that assurance around border and other
:33:10. > :33:13.issues and how as a government we believe a solution can be found,
:33:14. > :33:16.that there is goodwill on all sides in relation to finding that
:33:17. > :33:21.solution, reaching that agreement through the Common travel area and
:33:22. > :33:25.also looking at the issue of the movement of goods and services
:33:26. > :33:28.across the border to make sure it remains invisible and seamless and
:33:29. > :33:34.that is a clear and firm priority of this government to achieve. Sammy
:33:35. > :33:39.Wilson. My party is also disappointed that the executive has
:33:40. > :33:44.not been re-established after being brought down by Sinn Fein earlier
:33:45. > :33:48.this year. We'll be Secretary of State confirmed that only one party
:33:49. > :33:52.in Northern Ireland is insisting on any preconditions on the setting up
:33:53. > :33:58.of the sector? -- will the. And that those preconditions are so
:33:59. > :34:00.unreasonable, including the establishment of an Irish language
:34:01. > :34:05.act which would cost tens of millions of pounds, and the
:34:06. > :34:10.commitment by this party to overthrow its manifesto commitments
:34:11. > :34:15.and the refusal to sit with Arlene Foster who won the last election,
:34:16. > :34:18.will he confirm that those conditions amount to blackmail and
:34:19. > :34:21.that the establishment of any executive on that basis would be
:34:22. > :34:27.fragile and could not possibly exist? And maybe he could confirm,
:34:28. > :34:31.has he given into Sinn Fein's demands? That there will be no
:34:32. > :34:39.transparency of the funds they received to the Irish Republic to
:34:40. > :34:46.their covers question not I know there are strong views on a number
:34:47. > :34:50.of issues, and what I would say, I know that his party and Sinn Fein
:34:51. > :34:55.continue in the discussions to find resolution on these issues and that
:34:56. > :35:04.work and discussions are continuing today. Shortly before this session
:35:05. > :35:09.started. To resolve differences. I think it is that element where focus
:35:10. > :35:12.needs to lie, to see that we have any executive performing in the best
:35:13. > :35:16.interest of Northern Ireland which I know his party has indicated that
:35:17. > :35:21.they want to see. And therefore I think it is that focused that we
:35:22. > :35:26.will continue to support all the parties involved in this process to
:35:27. > :35:31.find that resolution to look beyond difference of parties, recognising
:35:32. > :35:36.also that the political process in Northern Ireland is respect shall,
:35:37. > :35:40.something that so many people have worked so hard to get to this point
:35:41. > :35:45.and I think he and others would all want to see that progressing into
:35:46. > :35:47.the future and seeing that we see that positive bright future for
:35:48. > :35:55.Northern Ireland across all communities. Thank you very much.
:35:56. > :35:57.The additional funds committed in Northern Ireland continues to be
:35:58. > :36:02.wrongly labelled as money for a single party in the province, will
:36:03. > :36:06.the signatory of state confirm that this is money for the whole province
:36:07. > :36:09.to be spent by all parties and it represents a billion more reasons
:36:10. > :36:15.for political leadership to be restored at Stormont? -- Secretary
:36:16. > :36:20.of State. You make a very clear and important point, that the funding
:36:21. > :36:25.package that was announced last week was very firmly for the benefit of
:36:26. > :36:30.all the communities to actually see that investment in infrastructure.
:36:31. > :36:34.That has not kept pace with other parts of the UK, to deal with issues
:36:35. > :36:39.where we have employment rates which are behind other nations of the
:36:40. > :36:45.United Kingdom and also to deal with reform inserting keep up its
:36:46. > :36:49.services, that is for the benefit of all in Northern Ireland and while we
:36:50. > :36:53.want to see the executive make decisions and seeing them feeding
:36:54. > :36:56.the benefit of that, I think that provides the real benefit and
:36:57. > :37:04.potential which we want to see seized -- feeling. This crisis has
:37:05. > :37:12.meandered across Vics Munce, two elections and two and a half missed
:37:13. > :37:18.deadlines -- across two elections. There is a time for intervention,
:37:19. > :37:23.why won't the Prime Minister go to Belfast with the tea shop and find a
:37:24. > :37:31.resolution to this that we all want to see. I agree that we do want to
:37:32. > :37:34.see this resolution, and that there have been interventions that have
:37:35. > :37:43.been made by the UK Government, the Irish government and also seeking
:37:44. > :37:46.that, those supportive voices to assist in community and elsewhere to
:37:47. > :37:50.get the parties focus on seeing the bigger picture and looking beyond
:37:51. > :37:54.difference and being able to get the executive formed. We will use all
:37:55. > :37:57.interventions appropriately to get that outcome and that is why I make
:37:58. > :38:02.the point about the work the Prime Minister has done. Which I have done
:38:03. > :38:07.and the Irish government have done and which the Irish remains to have
:38:08. > :38:16.done, but also the fact that time is progressing -- the Irish Foreign
:38:17. > :38:21.Minister has done. We no time is moving on and if we don't see
:38:22. > :38:24.resolution quickly there will be a need to do various steps round
:38:25. > :38:29.budgets and other issues and why we are still working hard to support
:38:30. > :38:37.the parties but ultimately it is for the parties to reach that agreement
:38:38. > :38:40.and to see that bridge... Those divides crossed, so the executive is
:38:41. > :38:43.formed and I can assure him of the urgency and the attention and time
:38:44. > :38:50.and effort which is made in that regard. Nigel Mills. As the only
:38:51. > :38:56.member on this side of the chamber to vote for transparency to
:38:57. > :39:03.donations,, well, can I welcome what he has said. Will there be no more
:39:04. > :39:08.need for any more money from Westminster to get this deal over
:39:09. > :39:14.the line with the DUP? The funds that were announced last week
:39:15. > :39:19.clearly, they should provide that sense of opportunity, that sense of
:39:20. > :39:23.potential on those issues that were clearly of relevance to Northern
:39:24. > :39:28.Ireland, on the lack of transport infrastructure compared to other
:39:29. > :39:31.parts of the UK and the issue of digital and broadband which has
:39:32. > :39:37.lagged behind other parts of the UK, and I think it should give that
:39:38. > :39:40.sense of incentive and opportunity of how an executive can deliver and
:39:41. > :39:46.get on with so many of the things that it wants to see. Dennis
:39:47. > :39:51.Skinner. Is the minister aware that this impasse in Northern Ireland has
:39:52. > :39:55.been complicated by the fact that the result of the general election
:39:56. > :40:02.has meant that the government has had to get involved in a protection
:40:03. > :40:08.money racket in system of ?1 billion, and the only way to get rid
:40:09. > :40:14.of that, may I say, as a suggestion, is for the Prime Minister to call
:40:15. > :40:18.another general election. We know that she is frightened to death of
:40:19. > :40:22.doing it because she knows that the Labour Party would win. And we would
:40:23. > :40:28.form a government which would get rid of this almighty mess and there
:40:29. > :40:32.would be no protection racket money and we would have a decent Labour
:40:33. > :40:43.government that would get rid of austerity. Get on with it. It sounds
:40:44. > :40:49.as if the honourable gentleman has not recognised the result of the
:40:50. > :40:53.last election and whilst the house will be interested in his comments,
:40:54. > :40:55.I don't think they will make any difference in solving the real
:40:56. > :41:05.problem is that we are wrestling with in Northern Ireland. Jonathan
:41:06. > :41:10.Edwards. If direct rule is imposed, can the joint ministerial committee
:41:11. > :41:15.on European negotiations perform this role without the participation
:41:16. > :41:21.of the parts of the British state? As I have indicated in my statement,
:41:22. > :41:24.we are very firmly not looking at interventions that are even getting
:41:25. > :41:29.to the point that he's alluding to and that would profoundly not be in
:41:30. > :41:32.the interests of Northern Ireland to be heading down that way which is
:41:33. > :41:36.why I made the point about the executive and the best way to
:41:37. > :41:42.address his point by seeing the executive into place and having a
:41:43. > :41:45.Deputy First Minister representing Northern Ireland and arguing very
:41:46. > :41:51.firmly in their interests on Brexit and other issues will stop Kevin
:41:52. > :41:54.Brennan. This is an unusual parliament, there is no
:41:55. > :41:57.representation because of the loss of seats by the SDLP and the welcome
:41:58. > :42:05.continued refusal of Sinn Fein to take their seats in this chamber. --
:42:06. > :42:10.the unwelcome. There is no representation of Irish nationalist
:42:11. > :42:12.opinion for many decades. Given what the Secretary of State said about
:42:13. > :42:16.the possibility of having to bring forward legislation in the near
:42:17. > :42:21.future regarding Northern Ireland, how will he make sure that that
:42:22. > :42:27.strain of opinion from Northern Ireland is fully taken into account
:42:28. > :42:31.in the consideration of legislation? I'm very conscious in my role as
:42:32. > :42:37.Secretary of State in listening to voices from all parts of the
:42:38. > :42:41.community and in this house there are no voices from the nationalist
:42:42. > :42:48.community which is represented and therefore I will continue to engage
:42:49. > :42:50.intensively with all parties in Northern Ireland to continue to
:42:51. > :42:56.listen and to hear specific points that they make. And make sure that
:42:57. > :42:58.that is reflected in my own consideration and the consideration
:42:59. > :43:07.of government more broadly as we look at the legislators
:43:08. > :43:10.programmatic. -- programme ahead. The Secretary of State will know my
:43:11. > :43:15.other commitment to devolution but at some point there needs to be a
:43:16. > :43:22.realisation that the parrot could possibly be dead and that it is no
:43:23. > :43:28.more, and if that's the case regarding evolution, can he put a
:43:29. > :43:33.time frame on the life expectancy that is ultimately left in this dead
:43:34. > :43:39.bird? Will appropriations be moved before the summer recess? The head
:43:40. > :43:42.of the Northern Ireland civil service has indicated that we are
:43:43. > :43:48.not at that point yet in terms of the need for an appropriations bill
:43:49. > :43:52.to be passed. I think we are still a little way away from that.
:43:53. > :43:57.Nevertheless, there are urging issues which do need to be addressed
:43:58. > :44:00.in terms of the financial position in Northern Ireland and why I made
:44:01. > :44:06.the points I did my statement around the need for further assurance to be
:44:07. > :44:09.granted, and I would say that I think there is still very firmly
:44:10. > :44:12.life there and I would say that the engagement we continue to see and I
:44:13. > :44:14.would say that I think there is still very firmly life there and I
:44:15. > :44:17.would say that the engagement we continue to see is profoundly that
:44:18. > :44:20.is what is is still very firmly life there and I would say that the
:44:21. > :44:22.engagement we continue to see profoundly that is what is in the
:44:23. > :44:24.interests of Northern Ireland, to have locally elected politicians
:44:25. > :44:27.serving the community in Northern Ireland which I know he believes in
:44:28. > :44:29.very strongly and as a government we will not be giving up on that. We
:44:30. > :44:33.are working tirelessly to make sure that we see this reconciliation and
:44:34. > :44:37.that we see this outcome, that we know is what Northern Ireland needs,
:44:38. > :44:42.and I earnestly hope that with the efforts that continue to be given
:44:43. > :44:44.that we will see that progress and see the invitation of a
:44:45. > :44:45.power-sharing executive in a very short period of time. --
:44:46. > :44:59.implication. Secretary Sajid Javid. With
:45:00. > :45:03.permission Mr Speaker, I would like to update the house on the
:45:04. > :45:07.government's response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and safety
:45:08. > :45:12.inspection of cladding in other public buildings. Almost three weeks
:45:13. > :45:15.have passed since the tragedy. Progress has been made to help the
:45:16. > :45:18.survivors and those in the surrounding buildings affected.
:45:19. > :45:22.Landlords across the country have taken measures to make the building
:45:23. > :45:24.is safe. Sir Martin Moore Bic has