Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 11 March 2015.
Theresa Villiers
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
11:30,
11 March 2015
I very much agree with the hon. Gentleman. Now is the time for level-headed consideration of how we can resolve this matter. In the autumn, Northern Ireland faced a budget crisis that was so serious that the very sustainability and future credibility of the institutions was at stake, and we were looking over a cliff at the possibility that devolution would collapse altogether. Returning to that position would be a huge step backward. The Stormont House agreement was a big step forward, and it is vital for all parties to work to ensure that it is implemented fully and fairly.