0:00:00 > 0:00:00of State for Northern Ireland and I have one of the questions here. The
0:00:00 > 0:00:03first is about donations to political parties and we can go over
0:00:03 > 0:00:17to see that now.Question one, Mr Speaker.Thank you, Mr Speaker. The
0:00:17 > 0:00:21recent publication by the electoral committee of commissions alone state
0:00:21 > 0:00:24for Northern Ireland parties is a positive step that should be
0:00:24 > 0:00:27welcomed by the whole house. The decision to back the transparency
0:00:27 > 0:00:30was taken on the basis of broad support for the majority of
0:00:30 > 0:00:34political parties in Northern Ireland.Mr Speaker, it has been
0:00:34 > 0:00:37recently revealed that a portion of the largest ever political donation
0:00:37 > 0:00:44given to a party in Northern Ireland was spent on services linked to
0:00:44 > 0:00:49Cambridge and all of the car. On the basis of this, should transparency
0:00:49 > 0:00:52not be backdated to 2014 so we can have full disclosure of where that
0:00:52 > 0:00:59cash came from?As I say, the decision to back dated July 2017 and
0:00:59 > 0:01:03was taken to the broad support of the majority of parties in Northern
0:01:03 > 0:01:09Ireland, my predecessor did take time to consult with the parties in
0:01:09 > 0:01:16July 2017 was the days they wish to start the transparency from.I think
0:01:16 > 0:01:18my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has already
0:01:18 > 0:01:25answered the question I was asked to ask which was where all the parties
0:01:25 > 0:01:32actually agreeing not to take it back to 2014?As I say, my
0:01:32 > 0:01:35predecessor consulted with all the parties and this was the position
0:01:35 > 0:01:41that was supported by the broad majority of parties.The Secretary
0:01:41 > 0:01:46of State will be able to confirm that even if the regulations did go
0:01:46 > 0:01:49back to 2014, there is no information that would be published
0:01:49 > 0:01:57that has not already been published. Can the Secretary of State also
0:01:57 > 0:01:59confirmed the disparity when there is no mention in this chamber or
0:01:59 > 0:02:03elsewhere of the dark money received by Northern Ireland parties from
0:02:03 > 0:02:07foreign jurisdictions? This is the only place that it is allowed to
0:02:07 > 0:02:12occur and it should stop.Mr Speaker, I firmly believe that
0:02:12 > 0:02:14transparency is the important thing that we have here that we should all
0:02:14 > 0:02:18know where money is coming from and I understand the honourable
0:02:18 > 0:02:25gentleman's comments.I'm really very interested to hear the
0:02:25 > 0:02:29explanation from the Secretary of State why the Northern Ireland
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Office deliberately, wilfully ignored the advice and
0:02:31 > 0:02:35recommendations of the Electoral Commission 's that the publication
0:02:35 > 0:02:40of donations to political parties should be backdated to 2014 and
0:02:40 > 0:02:452017.There was no wilful ignoring or anything else. My predecessor
0:02:45 > 0:02:49consulted with all the parties in Northern Ireland and was support for
0:02:49 > 0:02:56July 20 17.We know about one questionable donation that was
0:02:56 > 0:03:00channelled from Scotland to the DUP to be used in the Brexit referendum.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04People are quite rightly asking what the original source of that money
0:03:04 > 0:03:08was and whether there are others that we don't know about. Is the
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Secretary of State will not consider revising the recent decision to
0:03:11 > 0:03:15limit transparency and get it back to 2014, alternatively, was to bring
0:03:15 > 0:03:19forward legislation to allow individual parties to instruct the
0:03:19 > 0:03:24Electoral Commission to reveal their donation data?As I have said, we
0:03:24 > 0:03:29are keen to ensure there is transparency but the question she
0:03:29 > 0:03:32asks are a matter for political parties in themselves, not a matter
0:03:32 > 0:03:39for the Government.Letter number two.With permission, I will answer
0:03:39 > 0:03:42questions to and AIDS together. The Secretary of State and I have
0:03:42 > 0:03:45regular conversations with the Northern Ireland political parties
0:03:45 > 0:03:50on a range of issues. This includes matters relating to the UK's
0:03:50 > 0:03:54departure from the European Union. As we have said repeatedly, these
0:03:54 > 0:03:57conversations are no replacement for a fully functioning, locally elected
0:03:57 > 0:04:02and democratically effective executive. That is what Northern
0:04:02 > 0:04:08Ireland needs and that is what we are focused on.Does my right
0:04:08 > 0:04:11honourable friend agree with me that as we leave the EU, it is essential
0:04:11 > 0:04:15that current levels of Security and cooperation between the UK and
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Ireland which are so important in the fight against terrorism are
0:04:19 > 0:04:24improved and enhanced. -- maintained and enhanced.I agree
0:04:24 > 0:04:29wholeheartedly. All parties have been clear that there will not be
0:04:29 > 0:04:32any disruption to the north-south security cooperation when it comes
0:04:32 > 0:04:35to policing and tackling the terrorist threat. I applaud the
0:04:35 > 0:04:40incredible work done by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the
0:04:40 > 0:04:46gardai to keep us safe. That will not change after the EU exit.Will
0:04:46 > 0:04:50he reassure the House that as the UK, including Northern Ireland leave
0:04:50 > 0:04:58the EU, this hasGovernment's commitment to the Belfast agreement
0:04:58 > 0:05:02remained steadfast?I can categorically provide this
0:05:02 > 0:05:09commitment. Our negotiation strategy puts the Belfast agreement at the
0:05:09 > 0:05:13heart of our approach. As the Prime Minister and others have said, we
0:05:13 > 0:05:15will continue to abide by the UK's commitments in the Belfast
0:05:15 > 0:05:25agreement.Given the meeting that was held on Monday between the
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Michel Barnier,
0:05:29 > 0:05:33can the Minister at the NIA all confirmed that it remains the
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Government's clear position that the backstop arrangements, so-called, as
0:05:37 > 0:05:41proposed by the European Commission is something that no British Prime
0:05:41 > 0:05:47Minister or Government could ever agree to?May I just say to the
0:05:47 > 0:05:50honourable gentleman that the Prime Minister has made her views
0:05:50 > 0:05:53absolutely clear on that. The economic and cause additional
0:05:53 > 0:05:59integrity of our country will not be harmed.The Minister, because it is
0:05:59 > 0:06:03a notion that as a result of the transitional arrangements that
0:06:03 > 0:06:06somehow the Government has reneged on that particular pledge and it
0:06:06 > 0:06:10remains a firm commitment of the Government to the constitutional and
0:06:10 > 0:06:14political and economic integrity of the United Kingdom and as we move
0:06:14 > 0:06:18forward, will he ensure that industries like the fishing industry
0:06:18 > 0:06:20in Northern Ireland will be protected going forward after we
0:06:20 > 0:06:26leave the EU and that we ensure we take back control of our territorial
0:06:26 > 0:06:32waters, including our rights for fishermen?The gentleman makes some
0:06:32 > 0:06:36good points. I can confirm that the agreement that was released in
0:06:36 > 0:06:40December in the joint report, they still remain and certainly Britain
0:06:40 > 0:06:46will be doing all it can possibly do to ensure that all our industries,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48particularly fisheries, I maintained and that our fishermen are well
0:06:48 > 0:06:56looked after as well as the industry.I'm sure one of the issues
0:06:56 > 0:07:00that the Minister and Secretary of State will have discussed with the
0:07:00 > 0:07:02political parties in Northern Ireland is the problem is that they
0:07:02 > 0:07:06see with the hard border returning in Ireland. What are those problems
0:07:06 > 0:07:12and what does the ministers suggest we do to avoid them?The Prime
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Minister and the Secretary of State and many others have made it
0:07:14 > 0:07:21absolutely clear there will be no hard border.That's not much of an
0:07:21 > 0:07:23answer, Mr Speaker, and I think the Government should be acknowledging
0:07:23 > 0:07:27that the parties all think that there would be problems with a hard
0:07:27 > 0:07:31border, just as the Chief Secretary, the Northern Ireland select
0:07:31 > 0:07:34committee, the Irish Government and many on his own benches know there
0:07:34 > 0:07:38will be problems and should he not therefore be acknowledging them and
0:07:38 > 0:07:42telling me how is that the only way to avoid a hard border is for us to
0:07:42 > 0:07:51stay within the customs union and the single market?The people of
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Britain, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, collectively
0:07:55 > 0:08:00agreed to leave the single market, to leave the customs union and that
0:08:00 > 0:08:04will be the case. As far as the border is concerned, the joint
0:08:04 > 0:08:09report of December made it absolutely clear there will be no
0:08:09 > 0:08:13physical infrastructures, no hard border, a frictionless border and
0:08:13 > 0:08:20that is what is being negotiated and disgust at present.Number three,
0:08:20 > 0:08:29please, Mr Speaker.I will answer questions three, five, six and seven
0:08:29 > 0:08:32together. I regularly is big with the Irish Government and we
0:08:32 > 0:08:37recognise the importance of trade across the island of Ireland.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Equally, Great Britain markets are fundamentally important in Northern
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Ireland sales with some £14.6 billion as the Prime Minister
0:08:44 > 0:08:47reinforced in her Mansion House speech, we are committed to
0:08:47 > 0:08:53protecting both of these vital markets.The Dail was told yesterday
0:08:53 > 0:08:57that there will be no formal withdrawal agreement between the UK
0:08:57 > 0:09:02and the EU if the Irish border issue is not resolved. The Minister has
0:09:02 > 0:09:06already said this morning that there will be no hard border but can the
0:09:06 > 0:09:12Secretary of State explain to us how that process will come about?Mr
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Speaker, I don't think the honourable lady has said anything
0:09:15 > 0:09:18that is news to anybody. We are committed to the agreement is that
0:09:18 > 0:09:24we made in the joint report. We are committed to the Belfast agreement
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and all that that stands for and we will ensure that there is no new
0:09:27 > 0:09:28physical infrastructure at the border and that there is
0:09:28 > 0:09:35frictionless trade.Simon Coverley also told the Dail yesterday that
0:09:35 > 0:09:39the UK Government had provided a cast-iron guarantee that will ensure
0:09:39 > 0:09:44no physical infrastructure, checks or controls at the Gordon -- border
0:09:44 > 0:09:47post Brexit. Can the Secretary of State confirmed as?I think I have
0:09:47 > 0:09:51just answered that question. There will be frictionless trade,
0:09:51 > 0:09:57frictionless movement at the border and no new physical infrastructure.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02Last week, the Prime Minister spoke favourably about the Smart border
0:10:02 > 0:10:09two point report. Yesterday, in evidence to the Brexit committee, it
0:10:09 > 0:10:14was confirmed that the report was not tailored to the needs of Ireland
0:10:14 > 0:10:17and was incompatible with the December agreement that there should
0:10:17 > 0:10:20be no hard border. Can the Government confirmed that this
0:10:20 > 0:10:24report will not form the basis of any future negotiations on
0:10:24 > 0:10:29agreements with the European Union. I am not familiar with that
0:10:29 > 0:10:35particular report. I will look into it.Yesterday, the Irish Foreign
0:10:35 > 0:10:40Minister suggested that the EU that UK transition agreement could be
0:10:40 > 0:10:46extended beyond 2020 if better reasons were not in place for the
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Irish border. Can I ask, do the problems with dealing with the
0:10:49 > 0:10:52border mean that the UK could stay in the single market, the customs
0:10:52 > 0:10:56union and the Common fisheries policy for longer than 2020 and be
0:10:56 > 0:11:03there without any say?Mr Speaker, I presume the honourable gentleman
0:11:03 > 0:11:08wrote the question before the announcement in Brussels between
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Michel Barnier and my honourable friend the Secretary of State free
0:11:10 > 0:11:14exiting the European Union. The transitional arrangements will end
0:11:14 > 0:11:17in December 20 20. The United Kingdom voted to leave the European
0:11:17 > 0:11:21Union. This means leaving the single market and the customs union. That
0:11:21 > 0:11:26is what we will do.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30I am sure that my right honourable friend have every sympathy with the
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Irish Government, they didn't want Brexit, and there are lots of
0:11:34 > 0:11:38indications violent and no upside. Will they press on in Dublin
0:11:38 > 0:11:45nevertheless that the option put forward in the draft withdrawal
0:11:45 > 0:11:50agreement is wholly unacceptable, and that they should work with us to
0:11:50 > 0:11:53ensure that option one goes forward. Mr Speaker, both the UK Government
0:11:53 > 0:11:57and the Irish Government has stated that we would like to address the
0:11:57 > 0:12:02issue of the Irish border through the overall EU relationship as set
0:12:02 > 0:12:07out by often one in a joint report. I thank my right honourable friend
0:12:07 > 0:12:11for her answers. Clearly it is in the interest of both Northern
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Ireland and the republic that there is a com of free trade deal between
0:12:15 > 0:12:29the United Kingdom and the Umax. -- European Union.Mr Speaker, I think
0:12:29 > 0:12:33the way that I would sum it up is that this is either a win-win or a
0:12:33 > 0:12:39lose - lose. There isn't a win - lose option, and the other side
0:12:39 > 0:12:48wins. We all benefit if we get the free-trade arrangements and the
0:12:48 > 0:12:52border issue sorted.Do you share my confidence that we will get a
0:12:52 > 0:12:57satisfactory solution to such trade issues and negotiations after and
0:12:57 > 0:13:03ready for when we leave the eu.Mr Speaker, I share the optimism about
0:13:03 > 0:13:06this. I believe that we can negotiate a deal that works for all
0:13:06 > 0:13:16sides.Mr Speaker, do you think it would be a good idea to think that
0:13:16 > 0:13:23to get our colicky Brexit secretary and Michel Barnier, -- our colleague
0:13:23 > 0:13:28and Brexit secretary and Michel Barnier to debunk this nonsense and
0:13:28 > 0:13:33myth of a hard border which would be a relevant and impossible to
0:13:33 > 0:13:37enforce.Mr Speaker, the noble gentleman makes it very good point.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42They're wrong war crossing point in a 310 miles of land border between
0:13:42 > 0:13:45the Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland stand out are on
0:13:45 > 0:13:49the whole of the Eastern land border on the whole of the European Union,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52but without the non-member states, but I think you should be reassured
0:13:52 > 0:14:01that both Mr Barnier who was working at the time of the Belfast
0:14:01 > 0:14:04agreement, and my right honourable friend be Secretary of State by the
0:14:04 > 0:14:08European Union are very familiar with that border.90 very much
0:14:08 > 0:14:12indeed, Mr Speaker. Now that spring has come and there is a lightness
0:14:12 > 0:14:18and warmth in the air, maybe Equinox optimism extends to all politicians
0:14:18 > 0:14:21in Northern Ireland but, the Secretary of State is as I know well
0:14:21 > 0:14:27aware of the important role of the British, Irish intergovernmental
0:14:27 > 0:14:31conference, and it's played during the particular period of direct
0:14:31 > 0:14:36rule, where there were a team meetings of June 1999 and 2007. And
0:14:36 > 0:14:40with no devolution and the horrors of Brexit moving any larger, what
0:14:40 > 0:14:45plans have you got to reconvene at that conference when and where?It
0:14:45 > 0:14:50seems ironic that on the day whether 12 hours exactly of daylight, we
0:14:50 > 0:14:55have scheduled 12 hours programme to debate the legislation later. It may
0:14:55 > 0:15:01well not be enough. Depends what the shadow set years to field. I do
0:15:01 > 0:15:07discuss regularly with the dominant issues about our commitments to the
0:15:07 > 0:15:12Belfast agreement, and I continue to reflect on those matters.I am
0:15:12 > 0:15:20disappointed that there was a less than fully attentive audience to the
0:15:20 > 0:15:23thespian gentleman, but there are always other occasions on which
0:15:23 > 0:15:31people can listen more closely. Well, another time. On summer
0:15:31 > 0:15:36evenings that lie ahead.How do you follow that, Mr Speaker? Number
0:15:36 > 0:15:44four.I'm not even going to try. Mr Speaker, this Government is
0:15:44 > 0:15:46committed to building a stronger economy fit to the future and right
0:15:46 > 0:15:50across the United Kingdom. That is clear from our industrial strategy
0:15:50 > 0:15:54and from the spring statement where we continue to identify further
0:15:54 > 0:15:56opportunities for investment in Northern Ireland. Ultimately,
0:15:56 > 0:16:04though, a he requirement in both is political stability. That is why it
0:16:04 > 0:16:08is essential that the restored executive is in place to take
0:16:08 > 0:16:14forward strategic decisions and deliver Northern Ireland's economy.
0:16:14 > 0:16:21TATO not only has operations but also in Northern Ireland. What's
0:16:21 > 0:16:24that is my honourable friend taking to make sure that these UK wide
0:16:24 > 0:16:31manufacturing injury histories -- industries continue to grow and
0:16:31 > 0:16:45prosper.It is one of the many success stories for growth. For our
0:16:45 > 0:16:49industrial strategy, we are creating conditions were successful
0:16:49 > 0:16:53businesses such as the TATO group, can thrive, helping them to invest
0:16:53 > 0:17:04in the future are, Nato -- our future. As we leave the year and
0:17:04 > 0:17:13develop new trade relationships.Mr Speaker, the Institute of excellence
0:17:13 > 0:17:16has said that if Northern Ireland isn't in the single market or the
0:17:16 > 0:17:24customs union, they will face three 15 million in codes. How many tens
0:17:24 > 0:17:27of thousands of administrative Northern Ireland need to continue
0:17:27 > 0:17:35current straight, let alone expand it.I can rebut pessimistic aims
0:17:35 > 0:17:41with fact. There are 66,000 more jobs now than in 2010, and 15,000 of
0:17:41 > 0:17:48those jobs were in the last year, and since 2010, we have 12,300 new
0:17:48 > 0:17:58businesses.When we leave the EU, this house will no longer be
0:17:58 > 0:18:01prohibited from reducing the rate of corporation tax for Northern
0:18:01 > 0:18:09Ireland. Is it a step that the minister would consider taking?What
0:18:09 > 0:18:12I say to my honourable friend, is that we are very much hoping that
0:18:12 > 0:18:16the devolved assembly would be up and running because it is for them
0:18:16 > 0:18:20to actually take on the decision of reducing corporation tax, and we are
0:18:20 > 0:18:23very committed for them to do that on the basis that they can show
0:18:23 > 0:18:30sustainable finances.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Despite the ongoing
0:18:30 > 0:18:33political situation in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland had in
0:18:33 > 0:18:37fact had a very positive business environment this year, particularly
0:18:37 > 0:18:42in relation to foreign direct investment. Would the Minister
0:18:42 > 0:18:47consider establishing a formal and regular business forum to include
0:18:47 > 0:18:51invest NI, business organisations and local businesses in at Northern
0:18:51 > 0:18:56Ireland to insure that you maximise the opportunities arising from the
0:18:56 > 0:19:00UK leaving the eu.The honourable lady make a very good point. I have
0:19:00 > 0:19:06just been given the assurance that by the right honourable friend that
0:19:06 > 0:19:20she would be happy to participate in this adventure.With policing is a
0:19:20 > 0:19:30devolved matter and should be continued at storm on. Both the
0:19:30 > 0:19:37Secretary of State and I have met with the Chief Constable to the
0:19:37 > 0:19:41scuffed issues. They do this superb job and always have the full support
0:19:41 > 0:19:46of this Government. We have estimated that a £32 million a year
0:19:46 > 0:19:52will be required to support the response to Northern Ireland related
0:19:52 > 0:19:58terrorism.Bearing in mind that the potential overtime bill for the P N
0:19:58 > 0:20:03S I could be 48 million, with its be better to have a recruitment policy,
0:20:03 > 0:20:07more feet in the ground, and not just the overtime bill to ensure
0:20:07 > 0:20:14that the police officers are not put down having to work overtime? Would
0:20:14 > 0:20:17you consider that?The honourable gentleman makes a good point, but he
0:20:17 > 0:20:23will of course be aware that the PS NI operational matter, as far as
0:20:23 > 0:20:28starting them, is very much a matter for the Chief Constable to deal
0:20:28 > 0:20:32with, and it is something that I hope he is taking on board to deal
0:20:32 > 0:20:35with the what the honourable gentleman has said.Thank you Mr
0:20:35 > 0:20:41Speaker, question ten. Mr Speaker, there is ongoing positive engagement
0:20:41 > 0:20:45between UK Government officials and the Northern Ireland Irish civil
0:20:45 > 0:20:55service to ensure that...At the moment, children from Northern
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Ireland can access emergency heart surgery in Dublin, cancer patients
0:20:59 > 0:21:03from the Republic have treatment in Derry, ambulances crossed the border
0:21:03 > 0:21:07to attend emergencies. Canny Secretary of State give a guarantee
0:21:07 > 0:21:13that that will continue Brexit?The Speaker, I visited the hospital in
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Derry and sulphur myself the treatment that patients from the
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Republic of Ireland and -- saw for myself the treatment that patients
0:21:20 > 0:21:25receive. About a third of the patients in Derry come from the
0:21:25 > 0:21:30Republic. It is essential, as agreed in the joint report in December that
0:21:30 > 0:21:37we do maintain that situation.There is a considerable --there is a
0:21:37 > 0:21:49considerable hubbub in the chamber, which is arguably unfair.Thank you,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Mr Speaker. The Secretary of State will be aware of the European health
0:21:52 > 0:21:58cards systems will stop does the Secretary of State envisaged that
0:21:58 > 0:22:02continuing, or some other arrangement whenever we leave the
0:22:02 > 0:22:05European Union?Mr Speaker, the honourable gentleman will be pleased
0:22:05 > 0:22:09to know that that was one of the early after that was settled as part
0:22:09 > 0:22:14of the European Union, and my right honourable friend, the Secretary of
0:22:14 > 0:22:17State for Exiting the European Union was able to ensure that that would
0:22:17 > 0:22:25continue.Thank you Mr Speaker. The Government is committed to improving
0:22:25 > 0:22:30the welfare of all animals. Weak speced animals across the UK to be
0:22:30 > 0:22:33transported in conditions that comply fully with welfare
0:22:33 > 0:22:37requirements. We would prefer animals across the UK to be
0:22:37 > 0:22:40slaughtered close to the point of production. Animal welfare is a
0:22:40 > 0:22:44devolved matter in Northern Ireland, it would be for a future Northern
0:22:44 > 0:22:48Ireland executive to determine its own policy.As we leave the European
0:22:48 > 0:22:54Union, can I seek insurances that in Northern Ireland as well as in the
0:22:54 > 0:22:58rest of the UK, we will use the opportunity to enhance animal
0:22:58 > 0:23:03welfare standards?This is bigger, my honourable friend makes a very
0:23:03 > 0:23:07good point. The Government shares the public's high regard for animal
0:23:07 > 0:23:11welfare. We are proud to have some of the highest animal welfare
0:23:11 > 0:23:13standards in the world, but my liberal friends will appreciate that
0:23:13 > 0:23:22and animal welfare is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland,... We
0:23:22 > 0:23:29have been clear that if we leave the EU -- when we leave the EU, we will
0:23:29 > 0:23:32look to strengthen those requirements where possible.Thank
0:23:32 > 0:23:37you, Mr Speaker. As the minister had said, Northern Ireland has very high
0:23:37 > 0:23:40animal welfare standards, and surely we can do better than what the EU
0:23:40 > 0:23:47offers in terms of animal welfare standards.Mr Speaker, it is our
0:23:47 > 0:23:51intention that we would not only stay at the same level, but actually
0:23:51 > 0:24:03continue to improve our levels of animal welfare.
0:24:06 > 0:24:13It's nice to be welcomed so lovely, isn't it?Is it possible to hear the
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Secretary of State? She didn't realise just how popular she was,
0:24:15 > 0:24:23but now she knows.I set out the Dollman's approached was restoring
0:24:23 > 0:24:28devolved Government in the 12 of March. As I said then, we are
0:24:28 > 0:24:30determined to see devolved Government re-established. We
0:24:30 > 0:24:41continue to work with all Northern Irish parties and the Government.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44What progress has she made in involving assembly members in
0:24:44 > 0:24:49Northern Ireland in scrutiny Woods Hassey had discussions with the
0:24:49 > 0:24:53political parties and does she expect them to be involved in
0:24:53 > 0:24:57scrutiny of budget proposals announced yesterday?Mr Speaker,
0:24:57 > 0:25:02specifically on the budget, I did make sure that all the main
0:25:02 > 0:25:05political parties had sight of the budget before I announced it,
0:25:05 > 0:25:09because I do hope sincerely that they will be the parties that
0:25:09 > 0:25:13deliver that budget. He will also know from my statement on the draft
0:25:13 > 0:25:17of March that I will have had a number of representations and
0:25:17 > 0:25:21continue to receive suggestions for how we may end up getting some form
0:25:21 > 0:25:24of working instalment, and then considering all of those approaches.
0:25:24 > 0:25:33Mr Speaker, so long as Sinn Fein refused to enter the store Mont --
0:25:33 > 0:25:44storm assembly, there is little chance of restoring devolved
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Government, and that she'll must look at ways of ensuring that
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Northern Ireland is governed properly in the meantime.This is
0:25:51 > 0:25:55because, as I have said, there have been a number of suggestions and
0:25:55 > 0:26:00representations made to me about what the next that might be. I am
0:26:00 > 0:26:02considering all of those representations and all of those
0:26:02 > 0:26:05suggestions. I am looking for what we can do to ensure that we do get
0:26:05 > 0:26:10something that exist back on the steps towards having fully restored
0:26:10 > 0:26:20devolved Government.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27The Government is continuing to work towards the restoration of devolved
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Government in Northern Ireland, for precisely this reason.There is
0:26:31 > 0:26:38still too much noise in the chamber. That hear the voice of Vauxhall.I
0:26:38 > 0:26:42am afraid that is written not good enough. This is a hugely important
0:26:42 > 0:26:47sporting event that Northern Ireland has won the right to host, the
0:26:47 > 0:26:51Secretary of State must make these decisions. We cannot wait until we
0:26:51 > 0:26:55get another executive, it could be a very long time, this decision must
0:26:55 > 0:26:59be made and the Secretary of State must actually show that she is in
0:26:59 > 0:27:05charge.Mr Speaker, I feel as if I am answering questions in my
0:27:05 > 0:27:11previous role as digital culture media and is sport. My vision have
0:27:11 > 0:27:14met the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council, to
0:27:14 > 0:27:18discuss whether the option of holding the 2021 games in Northern
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Ireland could be sustained until such time as the Bosman institutions
0:27:20 > 0:27:29are restored.In relation to Northern Ireland, we are heavily
0:27:29 > 0:27:38dependent on tourism, and adventures of an -- event driven tourism.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Unfortunately, we do not agree that we are getting a fair crack of the
0:27:42 > 0:27:51whip when it comes to delivery from the body involved.Let's focus up on
0:27:51 > 0:27:56the --are you focus on the games? He is quite right, the 2021 youth
0:27:56 > 0:28:03games would bring tourists to your then -- Northern Ireland. I have had
0:28:03 > 0:28:06discussions about the issue of tourism in Northern Ireland. I am
0:28:06 > 0:28:08sure that he would welcome the