Results 1-20 of 3,317 for in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates' speaker:Theresa Villiers

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: I congratulate the hon. Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) on choosing Northern Ireland for today’s debate. Those on the Opposition Front Bench have provided us with a welcome opportunity to consider some hugely important matters in Northern Ireland. Let me start by paying tribute to the courage and dedication of those on all sides who are responsible for delivering the huge progress...

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: I can confirm, as I have said a number of times over recent months, that I have no plans to call a border poll. The conditions that require a border poll to take place, as set down in the Belfast agreement, are certainly not present; therefore, I simply do not think it would be a constructive thing to do. Indeed, I feel it would distract from the other big challenges for Northern Ireland,...

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: There is a huge amount of common ground between the UK Government and the Irish Government in our strong support for the devolved settlement and the great progress that it has brought to Northern Ireland, so I am delighted to hear that the Taoiseach expressed similar views to those that I have just expressed on a border poll. This Government strongly believe that we cannot stand still if all...

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: I have had a series of meetings with those involved in parading, including the Parades Commission, the PSNI, and the Loyal Orders, to hear their views on the prospects for and the risks associated with this season’s parades and marches. It is important for the local parties to engage with one another on this issue, and my understanding is that there is an appetite for that to happen....

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: It is certainly a great disappointment that the legislative consent motion has not been adopted by the Northern Ireland Executive. I understand that policing matters are hugely sensitive in Northern Ireland, for all sorts of historical reasons, but I am concerned that the abilities and the international reach of the National Crime Agency will not be available to the PSNI. Discussions are...

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: I hope that the hon. Gentleman will welcome the fact that the Government are planning to reduce corporation tax across the UK economy. The Prime Minister has also set a clear pathway to a decision on whether corporation tax decisions could be devolved to Northern Ireland. The reality is that significant technical issues need to be resolved before a decision can be taken on the principle of...

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: We certainly believe that enterprise zones such as those being established in England, Wales and Scotland can play a positive part in boosting the private sector and in job creation. Our conversation with the Executive on a fresh economic package to provide additional help for Northern Ireland includes looking again at enterprise zones, to see whether we can make them attractive to the...

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: These matters are being thoroughly discussed between Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive and those in the Department for Work and Pensions, which remains anxious about and open to finding a solution that will work for the Executive.

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: Those discussions are ongoing, and I am confident of a positive outcome from them. The hon. Lady will appreciate that a number of flexibilities have already been obtained from the DWP by Nelson McCausland.

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: I do not have the figure to hand, but this very important issue is being carefully considered in the discussions between the Northern Ireland Executive and the DWP.

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: I will take one more intervention, but then I want to make some progress.

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: Obviously, I do not have standing to dictate to the ombudsman what they choose to do with their report, but I am certainly happy to look further into that matter and come back to the hon. Lady about it. I am grateful for her praise of the work done by my predecessor and the Prime Minister. We are all, of course, concerned about unemployment in Northern Ireland, as it remains far too high,...

Northern Ireland (23 April 2013)

Theresa Villiers: I assure the right hon. Gentleman that this package is about working together. The shared objective of the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government is to rebalance the economy and to address sectarian divisions, and we feel that we have a good opportunity to work together on those crucial issues. As I have said, the package is about new measures and new ways of supporting the Northern...

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Recent Disturbances (6 March 2013)

Theresa Villiers: I have had regular discussions with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and other political leaders in Northern Ireland about the disturbances of recent months. The protests should now end. A way forward that commands broadly based support can be found only through dialogue and working together.

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Recent Disturbances (6 March 2013)

Theresa Villiers: The attempted terrorist attack this week demonstrates how severe the terrorist threat continues to be in Northern Ireland. It was only through the highly effective action of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and its partners that mass casualties were averted. The Government remain vigilant on the threat and have included it as a tier 1 priority in their national security strategy.

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Recent Disturbances (6 March 2013)

Theresa Villiers: The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that shortly after taking office the coalition devoted an extra £200 million to national security priorities in Northern Ireland, which has been tremendously helpful to the PSNI, not least in enabling it to replace its Land Rover fleet. We will continue our discussions on the successor funding when that £200 million runs out, and we continue to...

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Recent Disturbances (6 March 2013)

Theresa Villiers: The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that those are matters for the courts, not for me as Secretary of State and not for the police. I am afraid that the courts make their own decisions on those matters, taking into account the risk of reoffending.

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Recent Disturbances (6 March 2013)

Theresa Villiers: Of course it is important that those discussions continue. I had a very helpful meeting with the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and the Tánaiste a few weeks ago, and we hope to put another so-called quad meeting in the diary very shortly. Both Governments believe that it is important for a dialogue to occur on flags and symbols, and for progress to be made towards the shared...

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Recent Disturbances (6 March 2013)

Theresa Villiers: It is important for Northern Ireland’s political leadership to develop a process so that the leaders of all the political parties can work together on matters such as flags and identity. That is an important way of ensuring that the protests come off the streets and that we find a genuinely inclusive way to decide on these issues. The Belfast agreement gives guarantees on protecting...

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Recent Disturbances (6 March 2013)

Theresa Villiers: I agree. I am firmly supportive of the PSNI, which does an outstanding job. It has dealt with these protests in a very sensible way, and it has faced difficult situations. Indeed, almost 150 of its officers have been injured, so it has my firm and unqualified support. I hope that it will enjoy that support from Northern Ireland’s political leadership as well.