Clause 13
Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
11:15 am
I very much welcome the fact that, in many ways, this part of the Bill represents a sensible way forward. Some would argue that the same rules on disclosure should apply to Northern Ireland as to Britain. There are good reasons why that is not the case for now. The simple reason is that Northern Ireland is not the same as Britain at present. Political life, in particular, is very different. Sectarianism, intimidation, extortion and violence all have a role to play in that difference, and they played a significant role in creating it. That is why the Committee on Standards in Public Life originally asked the Government to consider a short-term and reviewable exemption from the recording requirements in respect of donations to political parties in Northern Ireland.
Matters have improved in Northern Ireland, and I am grateful for that, but violence, sectarianism, intimidation and extortion still remain fairly serious problems. For example, during the Whiterock riots of last year, over a period of three days 146 blast bombs were thrown, 115 shots were fired, 116 vehicles were hijacked and 81 policemen and women were injured. Sectarianism remains a problem. Some 700 incidents took place in a few months last year, amounting to about five a day. Paramilitary extortion remains a big problem. In spite of that, two thirds of cases could not be pursued because the complainant did not want the police to take action. In many cases, the complainant will not approach the police at all. All that affects people’s willingness openly to support or donate to political parties, and to contribute the finance necessary to support genuine democracy and political life. Many business men would like to operate on a cross-community basis and do not particularly want to be strongly identified with one particular party.