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Tag: 2022

  • PRESS RELEASE : PM call with Prime Minister Trudeau [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : PM call with Prime Minister Trudeau [September 2022]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 September 2022.

    The Prime Minister spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday 10 September 2022.

    The leaders shared their shock and sadness at the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. They agreed a profound sense of loss is being felt by people in the UK, Canada, the wider Commonwealth and across the world.

    The Prime Minister noted the closeness of the UK-Canada relationship, as fellow members of the Commonwealth, G7 and NATO. The leaders agreed to build on this partnership as we apply our shared values to the challenges we face, including working to reduce our economic dependence on authoritarian states.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Public Information activities in Royal Hillsborough and Belfast [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Public Information activities in Royal Hillsborough and Belfast [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 12 September 2022.

    Their Majesties will arrive at Belfast City Airport where they will be met by the Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport, before travelling to Hillsborough Castle for a number of engagements.

    The King and Consort will arrive at Hillsborough Castle, where His Majesty will hold a private audience with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and will meet with representatives from political parties. Their Majesties will also receive a Message of Condolence from The Speaker of The Northern Ireland Assembly on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.

    The King and The Queen Consort will attend a reception at Hillsborough Castle, hosted by the Secretary of State, where they will have the opportunity to meet representatives drawn from a diverse range of Northern Ireland life.

    Later in the afternoon, His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will travel to St Anne’s Cathedral to attend a Service of Reflection for the life of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. Their Majesties will then undertake a walkabout at Writers’ Square before departure.

    Public information regarding travel to Hillsborough Castle

    • The public is welcome to come to Royal Hillsborough ahead of the ceremony to line the route, members of the public should be in place by 1100. There is no parking for non-residents
    • Special transport is in place from the dedicated Park and Ride facility at the Eikon Centre, Halftown Road, Lisburn There will be no public access to the Castle during this period other than via this Park & Ride service.
    • Further information on the public transport services and shuttle bus times is available on Translink’s Website
    • On arrival at the Eikon Centre, members of the public will pass through a security search, before boarding coaches for Hillsborough Castle. You will be able to access toilets and refreshments at the Eikon Centre before travelling to Royal Hillsborough.
    • Large bags, such as backpacks and rucksacks will not be allowed onto the Park & Ride buses to Royal Hillsborough; you will be asked to return any large bags to your car and will have to undergo the queuing system again.
    • Please be aware that only floral tributes will be allowed to be laid in the dedicated area at Hillsborough Castle. On arrival at the Eikon Centre, all floral tributes will undergo a full security search, and any cellophane wrapping will be removed and disposed of at the Eikon Centre to avoid a fire risk.  Notes will also be removed and preserved by the NIO at Eikon Centre for onward transmission to Buckingham Palace.
    • Other items (such as soft toys) are not allowed to be laid, and will also be removed and stored at the Eikon Centre. Soft toys will be donated by the NIO to local hospitals.
    • On arrival at Hillsborough Castle, the tributes should be handed to an events steward who will lay them in the dedicated area in the Forecourt of Hillsborough Castle.

    Information regarding route between Hillsborough and Belfast St Anne’s

    • His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will leave Hillsborough Castle at 1420, travelling along Main Street and Lisburn Street to attend the Service of Reflection at St Anne’s Cathedral, which will begin at 1500.
    • They will come into Belfast City Centre along Wellington Place, Donegall Square North, Chichester Street and Victoria Street.
    • The public is very welcome to line the route as His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort travel to the Cathedral. Donegall Street and Writers Square will be closed to the public.

    Public Information regarding the Service of Reflection at St Anne’s

    The service of reflection at St Anne’s Cathedral is by invitation only. A small number of individuals have been invited to observe the proceedings at St Anne’s Cathedral from Writers’ Square. Members of the public will not be admitted to Writers’ Square or to the service of reflection. Access to the service will be strictly by ticket only.

    • More information on wider activities in Belfast is available on Belfast City Council Website including public television screens at Belfast City Hall.

    Q&A

    Where is the Eikon Centre?

    • The Eikon Centre is close to the M1 and only 10 minutes from Royal Hillsborough.
    • Yellow signs will direct you to the Hillsborough Park & Ride. You will be directed as follows, if approaching from:
      • The South (A1): Stay on the A1 past Royal Hillsborough Village and turn left onto Harrys Road
      • The East (M1): Leave the M1 at junction 7 onto the Blaris Road
      • The West (M1): Leave the M1 at junction 9 onto the A3 and turn South on the Halftown Road
      • The North (A26): At the junction with the M1 and A3, turn East onto the the A3 and turn South on the Halftown Road

    How do I get there by public transport?

    • A shuttle bus will run from Lisburn rail station to and from the Eikon Centre
    • Public buses will still run through Royal Hillsborough, but you will not be able to access the Castle other than via the Eikon Centre. You will be able to hand floral tributes to staff to lay on your behalf.

    Why is there a security check?

    • As you are aware, Hillsborough Castle is a secure venue and for this reason it will be necessary for everyone coming on site to undergo a short security check before boarding the buses at the Eikon Centre as well as a further check before entering Hillsborough Castle.
    • All cellophane on floral tributes will be removed during this security check.  No other tributes will be allowed at the Hillsborough Castle site, and guests are requested to refrain from bringing any other objects or tributes.
    • To facilitate a speedy security check, guests are requested not to bring large bags or holdalls.  There will be no storage facility in the Eikon Centre for luggage.

    I am attending the ceremonial events, do I need to travel via the Eikon Centre?

    • Yes. Guests for ceremonial events in Royal Hillsborough and Belfast also be asked to travel to the Eikon Centre.
    • Guests will be handled separately to members of the public seeking to lay floral tributes. You should have received information about travel from the Northern Ireland Office alongside notification of your attendance at the event(s).

    I live in Hillsborough, do I need to travel to Eikon?

    • Local residents and business owners within Royal Hillsborough Village should receive a leaflet from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council regarding the special arrangements in operation during the national period of mourning. If you have not received this, please contact the Community Assistance Centre on 028 9244 7999 for further information and support.

    I just want to lay flowers, do I really need to go to Eikon?

    • Hillsborough Castle is only accessible to the general public (aside from local residents and business owners) during the national period of mourning via the Park & Ride facility at the Eikon Centre.
    • Flowers may be handed to staff outside Hillsborough Castle; any other material (such as wrappings and other tributes) will be removed and the flowers will be laid in the dedicated area.
  • Michelle O’Neill – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

    Michelle O’Neill – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

    The tribute made by Michelle O’Neill, the Northern Ireland First Minister Designate, on 8 September 2022.

    It is with deep regret that I have learned of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II today.

    The British people will miss the leadership she gave throughout her 70 years as monarch.

    I would like to offer my sincere sympathies and condolences to her children, and her extended family circle as they come to terms with their grief.

    I wish to especially acknowledge the profound sorrow of our neighbours from within the unionist community here who will feel her loss deeply.

    Personally, I am grateful for Queen Elizabeth’s significant contribution and determined efforts to advancing peace and reconciliation between our two islands.

    Throughout the peace process she led by example in building relationships with those of us who are Irish, and who share a different political allegiance and aspirations to herself and her Government.

    Having met Queen Elizabeth on a number of occasions alongside my colleague, the late Martin McGuinness, I appreciated both her warmth and courtesy.

  • Mary Lou McDonald – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

    Mary Lou McDonald – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

    The tribute made by Mary Lou McDonald, the President of Sinn Fein, on 8 September 2022.

    I wish to extend deepest sympathy to the British Royal Family on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

    Her passing marks the end of an era.

    Relationships between our two countries for so long marked by conflict and suffering have been recast and reimagined through the Good Friday Agreement.

    The Queen proved a powerful advocate and ally of those who believe in peace and reconciliation.

    I salute her contribution to the huge change that has evolved in recent years.

    Her death is a moment of heartbreak and pride for the British people. To them, and especially to Irish unionists, I extend on behalf of Sinn Féin and Irish Republicans sincere condolences.

  • Mary Lou McDonald – 2022 Comments on Meeting with Nancy Pelosi

    Mary Lou McDonald – 2022 Comments on Meeting with Nancy Pelosi

    The comments made by Mary Lou McDonald, the President of Sinn Fein, on 9 September 2022.

    This week I have been in San Francisco for a series of engagements with business leaders, the local Irish community, trade unions and political leaders. We have discussed the challenges and the many opportunities for both Ireland and the United States in the time ahead and the unique ties which bond our two nations.

    Yesterday I met with US Speaker Nancy Pelosi and thanked her for her steadfast commitment to protecting the Good Friday Agreement and ensuring that the Irish people do not become collateral damage to the Tories’ Brexit plans. Speaker Pelosi’s commitment to protecting peace and all elements of the Good Friday Agreement is unshakeable.

    Speaker Pelosi reiterated to me the importance that the US Administration continues to place on protecting these important rights and affirmed again that the US stands firmly with the people of Ireland. We discussed President Joe Biden’s remarks earlier this week to the new British Prime Minister Liz Truss that she must show a change of tack from previous holders of that office and engage in good faith negotiations around the implementation of the protocol.

    British Prime Minister Truss must break with the bad faith agenda of her predecessors and change direction, end the unilateral actions and respect international law. We need to see a recommitment to the Good Friday Agreement, support the restoration of the political institutions and an end to game playing around the Irish protocol.

  • Chris MacManus – 2022 Comments on Need for Brussels Belfast Engagement

    Chris MacManus – 2022 Comments on Need for Brussels Belfast Engagement

    The comments made by Chris MacManus, the Sinn Fein MEP for Midlands Northwest in The Republic of Ireland on 9 September 2022.

    I welcome the opportunity to engage with our MLA colleagues at this roundtable event. However, I do not believe it should be up to individual MEPs or political groups to organise such events. This should be an ongoing formal engagement.

    Today we have had, what were on occasions, frank exchanges between MEPs and MLAs from across the political spectrum. These exchanges were healthy and productive, that is why I believe it is important that the European Parliament and the Assembly formalise engagements such as this and that we have direct dialogue between the elected representatives of both institutions.

    I consider this to be both a practical and crucial step we can and should take, as EU legislation can often have an impact for the north of Ireland, therefore it is important elected representatives from the north and other sectoral interests are heard in the drafting of any such legislation.

    It is also worth noting that the Assembly itself has sought mechanisms for direct dialogue in the past and that the European Parliament agreed to this. Indeed, Vice President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič referred to such a concept in his non-papers. It is now time to make formal those assurances.

  • John Finucane – 2022 Comments on “Bill of Shame”

    John Finucane – 2022 Comments on “Bill of Shame”

    The comments made by John Finucane, the Sinn Fein MP for North Belfast, on 11 September 2022.

    The introduction of the Legacy Bill is evidence that the British government have much, much more to conceal and cover-up from their dirty war in Ireland.

    Those who seek to introduce a formal amnesty for their soldiers and agents;

    Those who seek to block the rights of families to due legal process.

    Those who seek to halt the ability for families to take civil proceedings, to seek an inquest have much to cover-up.

    These actions are deliberately cruel, and show that the British government care not for the lives of our loved ones, nor do they care about the rule of law, truth or justice.

    And that they couch this legislation in the language of reconciliation is truly shameful.

    We need to be honest. This Bill is another slap in the face to victims.

    It is the price for delivering a Tory manifesto commitment that prioritises the demands of the British military over the legal rights of victims.

    This Legacy Bill is about providing an amnesty for British state forces and deny families their basic legal rights to an inquest, an independent investigation and to pursue civil actions.

    This is political interference of the worst kind in basic legal process which will have far reaching implications for confidence levels in the rule of law and the administration of justice.

    These legacy proposals are not only opposed by Sinn Féin but also the Irish government, all political parties across Ireland, the Executive Justice Minister Naomi Long, victims’ groups, families and the churches.

    So let’s be clear this Bill is unworkable, it will not deliver for victims and survivors, it is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement, and that it is incompatible with Article 2 obligations.

    But it is the price to be paid to protect those in Downing Street who know the extent of collusion and State murder because it was their predecessors, who planned it.

    Liz Truss needs to hear that we will not allow our rights to be cherry picked or traded by any British government.

    She must bin this flawed legislation without further delay.

  • Keir Starmer – 2022 Broadcast Statement Following the Death of HM Queen Elizabeth II

    Keir Starmer – 2022 Broadcast Statement Following the Death of HM Queen Elizabeth II

    The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 8 September 2022.

    Today we mourn the passing of a remarkable sovereign.

    It is a deep private loss for the Royal Family and our first thoughts are with them at this time.

    The nation shares in their grief.

    Queen Elizabeth II created a special, personal relationship with us all.

    A relationship based on service and devotion to her country.

    Nobody under the age of 70 has known anything other than Queen Elizabeth II on the throne.

    For the vast majority of us, the late Queen has been simply the Queen.

    The only Queen.

    Above all else, our Queen.

    As we mourn her loss, we should also treasure her life.

    Our longest-serving and greatest ever monarch.

    Above the clashes of politics, she stood not for what the nation fought over.

    But what it agreed upon.

    In crisis, she reassured us.

    Reminding us that we are all part of something that stretches back through time.

    A symbol of the best of us.

    I saw it for myself when I led the Crown Prosecution Service.

    Every time I had the privilege to meet the late Queen, she would ask the most searching questions because she wanted to understand the lives and struggles of her people.

    And as Britain changed rapidly around her, this dedication became the still point of our turning world.

    An example that taught us that whatever the challenges we face, the value of service always endures.

    And the obvious love the late Queen displayed for Britain, the British people gave back in return.

    That is why there is such an outpouring of grief across the nation today.

    As there is across the Commonwealth to which the late Queen was so devoted.

    Around the world, people are united in mourning.

    And united in celebrating her life.

    This togetherness is a reminder of what she achieved.

    A reminder of our shared values.

    Values which I know will be upheld by her beloved son, Charles, our new King.

    So as our great Elizabethan era comes to an end, we will honour the late Queen’s memory.

    By keeping alive the values of public service she embodied.

    For seventy years, Queen Elizabeth II stood as the head of our country.

    But, in spirit, she stood amongst us.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Statement on Chris Kaba

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Statement on Chris Kaba

    The statement made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 9 September 2022.

    This is a significant development [the IOPC Investigation]. From the outset I have been in close touch with the independent police watchdog, the IOPC, who said they would be thorough and go wherever the evidence took them. Their investigation has now resulted in the launch of a homicide investigation into Chris Kaba’s death.

    My heartfelt sympathies remain with Chris Kaba’s family, friends and loved ones, who are having to come to terms with a young life cut short.

    I fully understand the grave concerns and impact of Chris’ death on Black Londoners across our city and the anger, pain and fear it has caused – as well as the desire for justice and change.

    I appreciate that there are many unanswered questions and I want to reassure all of London’s communities that I will continue to push for these to be answered.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

    The tribute made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 8 September 2022.

    The nation and the world mourns today in recognition of the extraordinary service of our Queen – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She served for 70 years with unrivalled grace, dignity and purpose.

    Throughout a period of unprecedented transformation, she was a source of great stability, inspiring hope during the most testing of times and exemplifying the best of what it means to be British.

    I’m proud to have served as Mayor of London while Queen Elizabeth II was our monarch. I know Londoners, and people across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, are immensely proud and grateful for what she achieved for us all over so many years.

    I offer my condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.