Live Northern Ireland Questions House of Commons

both Houses of Parliament at 11

o'clock this evening. First

questions for the Secretary of State

for Northern Ireland.

With permission, Mr Speaker, I will

answer questions one and two

together. I have regular

conversations with the Northern

Irish Government. We recognise the

important of the trade on the island

of Ireland which is worth £4 billion

to the Irish economy. We was not

affect the importance of markets

where sales are worth... We are

committed to protecting both the

vital markets.

Mr Speaker, Scottish Government

analysis has shown a note your

scenario could cost Scotland up to

8.5% of GDP. Government announces

suggests that Northern Ireland could

lose 12% of GDP. She believed any

analysis she has seen and is it too

high a price to pay for?

Mr Speaker, my friend back has... I

think it is important to say that

the UK Government wants to achieve a

good deal for the whole United

Kingdom that protects the economic

integrity of the UK.

If this Government is so determined

to take us out of the customs union,

how does it see us avoiding a hard

border on the island without having

a hard border in the Irish Sea?

The United Kingdom Government has

been clear we do not want to see a

hard border between Northern Ireland

and the republic. The Irish

Government has said the same, as has

the European Commission. We will

make it clear there is no hard

border.

Wales and Scotland's voice is being

heard loud and clear in the current

Brexit negotiations. But of Northern

Ireland is not because of stress. In

answers to two questions for Mac and

five, the secretary will no doubt

say... But if it the executive is

not restored, what will she make

sure that the voice of Northern

Ireland is heard?

And I thank my friend Mike. He will

note that I have been working hard

on talks. The important point is for

Northern Ireland's voice to be heard

in the way that the Scottish and

Welsh voices heard, and we need a

devolved Government in Stormont. Are

working for that.

I welcome the Secretary of State to

her place and in discussions with

the Irish Government. Can she

confirm whether in the discussions

she has reflected with the Irish

Government and what would happen to

cross-border trade if one part of

the islands joined the Schengen area

as the SNP keeps arguing fall.

We are clear that the economic and

constitutional unity of the UK is

absolutely fundamental to all we are

doing and we are determined that we

will ensure the UK single market,

the most important single market to

Scotland and Northern Ireland, is

retained.

Bearing in mind the UK is island's

trading partner with third set of

employment in Ireland is related to

UK exports, can it be outlined that

this mutually beneficial partnership

continues unhindered by petty

point-scoring, headline grabbing,

whims of EU leadership.

He puts his points more eloquently

than I could ever dream to.

Given that the Irish Republic would

lose out most if there is not a good

deal with the European Union, is the

Secretary of State making it clear

to the Irish ministers that they

have got a role to pay with the EU

and they should be standing up for

their countries attitudes and making

sure they get the good deal in their

benefit?

The reality is not just for Ireland

but for all of this EU 27 states

that a good dale is a win-win for

everybody and not having that is a

lose - lose. There was no one who

benefits from not having a good

deal.

The Prime Minister has been clear

power be no continuing customs union

between the UK and EU. Woody

Secretary of State agree that that

means a diverging sub regulations

between Ireland and Northern Ireland

and paragraph 49 of December's

agreement must now be activated?

Will she tell us specific solutions

to address the unique circumstances

of the island of Ireland she is

proposing?

The honourable lady makes the point

there are unique circumstances in

Northern Ireland, unique to anywhere

across the whole of Europe and those

unique circumstances have to be

reflected. The Government is Mac

intentions is weak resolve the

issues of North South trade through

the agreement. We are determined to

make sure that we respect the

integrity of the North- South border

and we respect the agreements that

were made in Belfast nearly 20 years

ago.

May I welcome the glistening new

team to the front bench and hope the

whole house would be saying how

pleased we are that the predecessor

is recovering so well from his

surgery. May I welcome the

honourable gentleman of Northwest

Cambridge. The eighth minister I

have had the privilege of shadowing.

I do not know if this is to do with

my personal behaviour or not, but I

plead not guilty. Now been new team

has had a chance to find themselves

around, particularly the border and

they have studied the issue of the

electronic border, do they believe

that such a frontier is feasible or

just a fantasy?

Can I thank the honourable gentleman

for his warm words and pay tribute

to my predecessor who I am pleased

to say it is recovering well at

home. I know we all wish him a

speedy recovery. The honourable

gentleman refers to the fact of the

border. We are determined there will

be no physical infrastructure that

and we will maintain things like the

Common travel area that has been in

existence well before the EU.

May I thank the honourable member

for his kind words of welcome. We

have worked together on a number of

issues and this is the first time we

will be across the dispatch box so I

look forward to constructive

engagement with him and his team. As

far as the comment by my honourable

friend of Lewis, I would say we are

emitted to the pledge of 3 million

French ships by 2020. To an

industrial strategy, we are

committed to helping young people

across the country to develop the

skills they need. It will be

appreciated that delivering

friendships in Northern Ireland is a

devolved matter and it is another

reason why we needed to see a

restored executive up and running.

Employers in Northern Ireland told

and affairs committee that while

there is no executive in place, they

are having to play the

apprenticeship levy but have no

access to funds. The apprenticeship

levy in Northern Ireland is turning

into a tax for businesses. Would

they agree this is another reason we

need an Northern Ireland executive

in place.

My honourable friend gives an

example of why it is so important to

have a devolved assembly up and

running again. It is important

decisions such as what she mentioned

that need to be taken and that is

why we need the assembly up and

running as soon as possible.

It is worrying that we hear of the

loss of apprenticeships and

yesterday there was an announcement

about Williams industrial services

in my constituency that went into

administration. I am asking what

help can you give us that we retain

manufacturing and the friendships

that add there?

I am sorry to a year about the

position in the company in his

constituency. I'm sure the employees

will be taking the way of

consultation that needs doing in far

of the employees are concerned. With

the promotion of more jobs, it is

important that the devolved assembly

is up and running because they have

a critical role to play in this. In

the absence of that, I can assure

but my honourable friend are doing

all we can. We recently met with

invest and I to see what is

happening and what we can do to

help.

One of the best apprenticeships

programmes in Northern Ireland is

run by Bombardier. Would it be in

agreement that it is fantastic news

for the apprentices that the

complaint against Bombardier has

been soundly rejected?

Can I thank my honourable friend for

the comment and say it is very much

welcome news that the international

Trade Commission unanimously agreed

with Bombardier and we look forward

to working with Bombardier who play

a critical role in the economy,

particularly in Northern Ireland.

Question four.

Mr Speaker, I will answer questions

together and I will ask for your

forbearance because I would like to

provide a short update on talks that

will be slightly longer than the

usual answer.

Over the past weeks, the political

parties, particular Sinn Fein and

DUP, have spoke on the key issues

that remain to be was oft. They have

done so with the continuous support

and in accordance with the three

stranded approach. They were built

on the progress made in previous

talks to choose gaps between them.

An accommodation between the parties

has not yet been reached but there

is no doubt as to the elective

commitments towards the restoration

of devolution. I'm sure a agreement

is achievable.

She shouldn't be making a statement

on this...

Can I say to her, every

party in Northern Ireland say they

want a deal but significant gaps

remain. Can she outline to the House

what those gaps actually are and

what she is doing to bring people

together and resolve them?

Can I say

to the honourable gentleman, greatly

distinguished in this area and knows

Northern Ireland politics, we are at

a sensitive stage of the

discussions, I have committed to

know running commentary on the talks

while ongoing. They have been very

intense, very detailed, the

discussions. We can reach it but I

will not jeopardise that.

Will the

Secretary of State set a deadline

for the talks so the people of

Northern Ireland can know when they

will have some Government back in

Northern Ireland?

I was clear at the

outset that the talks were going to

beat weeks not months. We have been

in intensive discussions for two

weeks now and I am hoping to see a

resolution to the matter as soon as

is possible.

Does the Secretary of

State agree that in society a party

that wins an election, forms a

Government, don't win an election,

hold that Government to account, how

we know not reached a stage...

After

over a 12 month without devolved

Government, we absolutely need to

have the institutions back up and

running in Stormont. The people

elected their politicians and it is

incumbent upon them they deliver. We

respect the fact this is a

cross-party, cross community

resolution as set out in the Belfast

Agreement. I am determined to do

everything I can to give this the

best chance of being successful and

having devolved Government back up

and running and I will not

jeopardise that.

I welcome the

commitment to make sure devolved

Government is restored as soon as

possible. Will she agree that one of

the stumbling blocks is that certain

parties, namely Sinn Fein, keep

coming forward with new demands that

were not part of the original

forming of the executive?

I

apologise, I would very much like to

get members much more explicit

detail and answers but it would not

be appropriate at this stage. I will

as I always have committed to

returning to this House as and when

I have something concrete to say on

the matter.

Can I warmly welcome the

Secretary of State to her place and

parliamentary undersecretary of

state as well? I wish her well in

her continued efforts to facilitate

talks in Northern Ireland. She knows

we are not the stumbling block to

the restoration of the executive. In

the meantime, would she get a clear

commitment to the people of Northern

Ireland and of his House that the

Budget for Northern Ireland will be

set as soon as possible, given that

the head of the civil service said

we cannot go much beyond the

beginning of February without

clarity about how much departments

and public bodies will spend next

year. The lack of a Budget is

affecting services including Health

and Social Care. The position is

intolerable, we need a Budget and we

need it now.

Can I thank the right

honourable gentleman for his

comments. We have had discussions

about this issue. People know my

predecessor took action in this

matter and I have obviously had

discussions with the civil service

in Northern Ireland and met

individuals working in very

dedicated public servants doing

their best to deliver. In the

absence of the devolved Government

this is becoming difficult, we need

devolved Government quickly and I

understand the point he makes. My

predecessor did take action on this

matter and I am sure he will be a

sure about that.

I am grateful

insofar as that goes and I look

forward to bringing forward

proposals without... So we cannot

have a situation where departments,

people and services are suffering.

Which she agree the recent Sinn Fein

statement the other day about

Northern Ireland being a putrid

little place justifying IRA murder.

The hypocrisy of Sinn Fein

justifying murder, disrespecting the

state of Northern Ireland, preaching

murder. Would she agree that that

sort of attitude must stop? There

must be respect from Sinn Fein

towards Unionists and those who

believe in the union.

We must all

think carefully about the words we

use in public and the way they may

be interpreted in public life.

May I

also add my welcome to the

undersecretary of state and the

Secretary of state. And wishing your

predecessor a speedy recovery. We

understand the Secretary of State

will not want to give a running

commentary on the talks but there is

enormous frustration in Northern

Ireland after one year in limbo with

successive secretaries of state

telling us exactly the same thing.

Can she at least come from one of

the big sticking point in the talks

is right, not just language rights

but marriage equality rights. Can

she tell us whether she would

consider taking that issue of the

table from legislating for equal

marriage rights in Northern Ireland

as they enjoy in Staffordshire?

I

thank him for his comments. I do not

wish to say anything at this stage

whilst it would be... It is

frustrating for all, I know, I am

frustrated, too. I will of course

come to this House and make a full

statement when I am able to. On the

matter of equal marriage, this is a

devolved issue and should be

legislated for in Stormont. That is

the right place for the legislation

to be enacted and I look forward to

a devolved Government being in place

that can do that. He will recall

when the matter was debated in this

Chamber for England and Wales, our

constituents, that these benches

were entitled to a free vote and

Members of Parliament voted in line

with a conscience.

She will know in

Northern Ireland they did have a

vote in the assembly on November of

last year, voting in favour of

taking forward marriage equality for

Northern Ireland. She could show

leadership in this issue and respect

devolution and potentially bring

forward the prospect of devolution

being resolved. Can she also answer

a simple question? One which many

people in Northern Ireland I think

we'll want me to ask. What is she

going to do differently in the weeks

and months ahead to show leadership

and break the deadlock?

The talks

have resumed. They are detailed,

intense, the parties are engaged and

are working late into the night most

nights to reach a resolution. I

think the politicians in Northern

Ireland understand the frustration

of the people of Northern Ireland,

they want to deliver for them but

there are differences which need to

be overcome and I am doing

everything I can to try and get a

resolution so that the accommodation

can be found and devolved Government

can be restored.

I would like the

Secretary of State to take a few

moments to explain to the House and

the people of Northern Ireland about

the level of engagement with the

smaller parties in the Alliance,

Ulster Unionists. In the recently

resumed talks. I have had it

reported to me that they had a cup

of tea and a bit of a chat, said

thank you and goodbye, see you on

Thursday. I can't believe that was

all the level of engagement. With

the Secretary of State give some

reassurance about the level of

engagement with smaller parties?

All

parties have been included within

the talks process since the 24th of

January. I have met all the main

party leaders on a number of

occasions, including the Round Table

on Monday and another later this

week. Unless the two big parties,

DUP and Sinn Fein, can reach an

agreement, we are not able to

achieve devolved Government and

therefore it is right that there is

detailed bilateral discussion

between the two parties. Yesterday,

I spoke met all of the party

leaders. -- spoke to are met.

I will

answer question six and 11 to go. We

speak regularly with counterparts in

the Irish Government on a range of

issues. In a joint report from the

leader of the European Union in

December pass European Council, we

reached an agreement to maintain the

Common Travel Area. Also agree that

any future arrangements must be

compatible with the UK Government's

commitment to avoiding physical

infrastructure on the border. We

will work closely with the

Commission to complete legally

binding text for the commitments

made in December.

If the Government

is committed to regulatory climate

on both sides of the Irish border,

can he tell the House whether he has

made it easier that the Prime

Minister... Customs union,

membership of the single market?

Let's be clear. We have said we will

be leaving the customs union and

leaving the single market as well.

What we had to do in phase two,

engage in negotiations to make sure

that we have the best possible trade

deal we possibly can have with the

EU. We are committed to having a

frictionless border.

Will the

Minister agree that once the United

Kingdom leaves the European Union we

have a duty to protect the rights of

Irish citizens within UK law which

predates written's membership of the

EU with the Common Travel Area?

An

excellent point. He is right to say

that the Common Travel Area

reciprocal rights we have between

the UK and Ireland predates

ownership of the EU by either

country and they can see him that

the joint report of December last

year -- I can pursue him that the

Common Travel Area arrangement will

remain.

A recently published

European Parliament report has

indicated it is possible to have a

frictionless border after we leave

the EU. Does he not become concerned

about the friction in relationships

between the UK Government and the

Irish Republic, and what, has he got

to make about these threats issued

by the Foreign Minister yesterday

that he will block negotiations if

he does not get legislation reduced

to force the Northern Ireland

assembly to introduce EU

regulations?

Of the parties involved

recognise that this is a difficult

negotiation, but we are all

committed to being flexible and to

come up with innovative solutions.

As far as the relationship with

Ireland's, it goes back centuries.

We have an excellent working

relationship and hope to continue

that relationship with the best

solution possible for the whole of

the issue as far as the border is

concerned between Ireland and

Northern Ireland.

Order. Let's hear

Paul Masterton!

Can the Minister

confirm that whatever arrangements

are needed to achieve a frictionless

border will apply to the UK as a

whole?

I can pursue my honourable

friend we are committed to the

constitutional and economic

integrity of the United Kingdom.

That is going to stay as it is at

the moment.

Chris Long!

Question

number seven.

With permission, I will answer seven

and 14 together. My right honourable

friend the Secretary of State for

Northern Ireland has regular

conversations with colleagues on a

range of matters including

implementation period. We recognise

the importance of negotiating and

implementation period that benefits

the whole of the UK including

Northern Ireland. We welcome the

EU's agreement to negotiate...

Precise time should be made as soon

as possible to provide certainty to

businesses and citizens.

It is

unfortunate that neither the

Minister's mellifluous tones nor the

answer can probably be heard as a

result of private conversation. He

deserves a more attentive audience.

I trust they were negotiation in

there. Can the Secretary of State

tell us if she has agreed a

concession in the negotiations with

the Brexit Secretary allowing

Northern Ireland to remain part of

the single market and Customs union

while the UK believes in order to

provide a hard border?

Yes or no?

Can I just say to the honourable

gentleman again that the United

Kingdom is committed to leaving the

single market, leaving the customs

union and also the integrity of the

Constitution and our economy remains

as it is. It will not be...

Tommy

Sheppard.

I think we are all a

little confused as to how the

Government intends to have a hard

border. His colleagues are trying to

have maximum separation from the EU

and least possible realignment. As

he ruled out the idea of there being

separate arrangements with Northern

Ireland covering trade and commerce?

Again, the constitutional and

economic integrity of the United

Kingdom remains. I would say that we

are in phase two of the

negotiations. These are matters that

are currently being discussed. I am

sure that all the parties Ireland,

the UK and the EU recognise the

difficulty on the issue and will be

as flexible and innovative as

possible.

Does the Minister agree it

is about time the Government

demonstrated that no surrender

attitude to the people who try to

bully us over air flight, stand up

for the man! Stand up to the EU and

let's get on with leaving!

May I

just say that my right honourable

friend the Prime Minister will stand

up to anyone and everyone when it

comes to maintaining the best

interests of the United Kingdom.

Finally... Order! Far too much noise

in the Chamber.

The Good Friday

Agreement was one of the greatest

legacies of the last Labour

Government. Is the Minister content

that messing up the border issue

could mean that destroying the Good

Friday Agreement could be one of

this Government's legacies?

Can I

just assumed the honourable lady

that the joint report published in

December of this year between the EU

Commission and the UK makes it

absolutely clear that the Belfast