Lord Dunlop: I note what the noble Lord says about the change in the method of selecting the First and Deputy First Ministers, and I acknowledge his long-standing position on this. However, as the Secretary of State made clear in the other place, the focus now must be on exploring whether there is any basis for resolving the current issues. There is huge support in Northern Ireland for devolution. The...
Lord Dunlop: I am grateful to the noble Lord. I am sure he is absolutely right that, in this situation, we want the parties working together. The Secretary of State is very focused on doing that over the coming period. The noble Lord opposite made the suggestion that the Secretary of State might issue a formal invitation to a round table, and I am sure that initiatives of that sort will be considered by...
Lord Dunlop: I absolutely agree that we must, as I said in earlier remarks, strain every sinew to find a way forward. Clearly, there is contact with the Irish Government, but we must respect the constitutional priorities. What has given rise to this situation is the RHI scheme, which is a devolved matter. The constitutional position of Northern Ireland is clearly set out in the Belfast agreement and we...
Lord Dunlop: I thank my noble friend. As I said, obviously there has been close contact with the Irish Foreign Minister—but, as he rightly points out, we need to respect the constitutional proprieties, and the constitutional position of Northern Ireland is clearly set out in the Belfast agreement. As for the timing, there is a seven-day period, after which the Secretary of State is obliged to call an...
Lord Dunlop: Certainly, the sentiments of this House will be heard loud and clear. I hope that it is clear from the Statement that I have repeated today the gravity and seriousness that the Government attach to these matters and therefore the priority that we will give to them. In the discussions that the Secretary of State will have, he will obviously explore all avenues to see what might be helpful in...
Lord Dunlop: I thank the noble Lord for his contribution. One can never predict the implications of elections. The Statement simply sets out the widely held view that an election may deepen divisions and threaten the continuity of devolved institutions. Clearly, we need to work and redouble our efforts to find a resolution, as I have already said.
Lord Dunlop: I am very grateful to the noble Lord and the noble Baroness for their remarks and, in particular, for all the thanks that the noble Lord expressed to all those who have played such an important part in the peace process over the years. I am also very grateful for the support they have given the Government in seeking a resolution to very difficult issues. This is a time to come together and...
Lord Dunlop: My Lords, with permission, I will repeat a Statement made by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in the other place. The Statement is as follows: “Mr Speaker, with permission, I would like to make a Statement about the political situation in Northern Ireland. As the House will be aware, yesterday Martin McGuinness submitted his resignation as Deputy First...
Lord Dunlop: The Northern Ireland Office has had no discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the protection of Northern Ireland civil servants from inappropriate political interference and influence. The conduct of the Northern Ireland Civil Service is a devolved matter.
Lord Dunlop: There was never any justification for paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland and there is none today. The UK Government is committed to working with the Northern Ireland Executive to end paramilitary activity through the measures agreed in the Fresh Start Agreement, and to supporting legitimate and accountable community organisations. This Government believes in the rule of law and does not...
Lord Dunlop: My Lords, we have made significant progress to transfer the welfare powers in the Scotland Act 2016. Eleven provisions are already in force, including new powers for the Scottish Parliament to create new benefits in devolved areas and top up any reserved benefits. The UK Government remain committed to a safe and secure transfer of powers, and the joint ministerial working group on welfare...
Lord Dunlop: I certainly recall what the noble Lord says, and I have a degree of sympathy with what he is saying. It is clear that the Scottish Government are having to face up to the reality that demanding the devolution of more powers is not the same as being able to use those powers effectively. If you want to replace existing programmes, you need first to know what you are replacing them with. The...
Lord Dunlop: I certainly think that the realities of devolving welfare powers put into context the assertion of the then First Minister of Scotland, who said that an independent Scottish state could be established within 18 months. We have seen some of the domestic policy record; two weeks ago, we learned that Scotland’s schools had recorded their worst ever performance in PISA tests since those were...
Lord Dunlop: I am inclined to agree with my noble friend.
Lord Dunlop: The Fresh Start Agreement has contributed to greater stability in Northern Ireland than has been known for some time. Good progress has been made on its implementation, including the delivery of legislation on welfare reform and steps towards establishing the Independent Reporting Commission on paramilitary activity. The Government is working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive and...
Representation of the People (Electronic Communications and Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2016 – Lord Dunlop.
Lord Dunlop: As I have previously explained to the Noble Lord, this Government understands the concept of parity of esteem, as set out in the 1998 Belfast Agreement, as relating to and placing a general obligation on the UK Government to treat people of different traditions or communities in Northern Ireland fairly and with equal respect. The Belfast Agreement makes no distinction between communities and...
Lord Dunlop: As a public authority, the Parades Commission has general obligations under public law; the discharge of those obligations is an operational matter for the Parades Commission, acting independently of Government. The Parades Commission determinations make regular reference to the European Convention on Human Rights. Details of all determinations are published on the Commission’s website at...
Lord Dunlop: My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who have taken part in this short debate for their contributions and for their support for this order. I very much agree with what the noble and learned Lord, Lord Hope, said about the system in Scotland being well equipped to deal with these inquiries. To pick up the point made by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Wallace, the law on service personnel dying...
