The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-11-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what dates in the last 24 months the government of the Republic of Ireland attended in any capacity meetings held under section 1 of the 1998 Belfast Agreement.
Lord Dunlop
The Government has held regular meetings with the Irish Government over the last two years in accordance with the established three-stranded approach.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-12-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 2 December (HL3879), whether they will publish the draft Bill for setting up the Historical Investigations Unit and other legacy bodies that was presented to political parties at those negotiations, and why they did not provide that information in that answer.
Lord Dunlop
The matter of how best to move forward and achieve broad consensus in support of legislation to establish the legacy bodies, including whether to publish the draft Bill, is currently being considered.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-01-12.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they define parity of esteem as set out in the Belfast Agreement 1998.
Lord Dunlop
As I have made clear in previous answers on this subject the UK Government is committed to affording due respect and parity of esteem to all the people in Northern Ireland as underpinned by the 1998 Belfast Agreement, and in accordance with the obligations on the Government to promote equality and prevent discrimination across the United Kingdom.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-01-21.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what procedures they apply to ensuring that all parties to the Belfast Agreement 1998 honour the terms of that agreement, and what action they can take if they assess that other parties to that agreement are not complying with it.
Lord Dunlop
The UK Government meets regularly with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government, both at ministerial and official level, to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern, including matters relating to the implementation of the Belfast Agreement and subsequent Agreements.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-02-02.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether in paragraph 3 of the Declaration of Support in the Belfast Agreement 1998 equality between these islands” includes parity of esteem for all on or of those islands.”
Lord Dunlop
Paragraph three of the Declaration of Support in the Belfast Agreement commits the participants involved in the multi-party negotiations that led to the Agreement ‘to partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of relationships within Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between these islands’. The United Kingdom Government is committed to affording due respect and parity of esteem to all the people in Northern Ireland as underpinned by the Agreement and in accordance with the obligations on the Government to promote equality and prevent discrimination across the United Kingdom.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-02-24.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Dunlop on 24 February (HL5739 and HL5740) concerning the Belfast Agreement 1998, why they did not answer the question about the agenda for discussion with the Republic of Ireland, and who checks that those involved in discussions are entitled to be involved.
Lord Dunlop
I have previously responded to the Noble Lord’s question by explaining that discussions with the Irish Government are in accordance with the established three-stranded approach to Northern Ireland affairs which is reflected in the Belfast Agreement. I have nothing to add to this.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-05-19.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and others who live for part of the week in Northern Ireland can avail themselves fully of parity of esteem, and if not, what parts of the concept of parity of esteem they are unable to avail themselves of.
Lord Dunlop
This Government understands the concept of parity of esteem, as set out in the 1998 Belfast Agreement, as placing a general obligation on the UK Government to treat people of different traditions in Northern Ireland fairly and with equal respect. In the Agreement it is clearly expressed and defined in relation to people living in Northern Ireland.
As a general obligation there is no definition of particular circumstances in which it does or does not apply.
As I have set out in previous replies to the Noble Lord, this Government is firm in its commitment to the protection of people against any form of discrimination, and the promotion of opportunity for all, across the whole of our United Kingdom.
In respect of the Noble Lord’s question about those who might march wearing army uniforms but who are not members of an army, the concept of parity of esteem clearly does not absolve people from upholding the law. This Government has made clear many times that we will never accept any form of equivalence between members of the security forces and those who engage in terrorism or other forms of paramilitary activity.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-10-19.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 17 October (HL2170), which body or individual ensures that the Northern Ireland Parades Commission is compliant with international treaty obligations concerning human rights.
Lord Dunlop
There is no one body or individual that is specifically responsible for ensuring the Parades Commission complies with international treaty obligations, including on human rights. Further to my written answer of 17 October, the Commission operates independently of the Government, in line with the provisions contained in the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. That Act is compliant with international treaty obligations on human rights, and the Commission is accountable to the courts for its operational decisions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-11-18.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether all quasi-judicial decisions made by government departments or agencies should be made public.
Lord Bridges of Headley
There are a wide variety of quasi-judicial decisions and each are subject to different statutory requirements. In many cases the reasons behind the decisions are published with the decisions, for instance where a Secretary of State decides to make, or not make, a Development Consent Order under the Planning Act 2008, the decision letter and associated order, if applicable, must be published.There are several reasons why decisions might not be published and those include national security, sensitive personal data or commercial sensitivity.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-12-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which are the designated dispersal areas for asylum seekers in the UK; how many asylum seekers are currently registered as living in Northern Ireland; how many asylum seekers have been refused leave to stay in Northern Ireland; and what social security benefits asylum seekers are entitled to (1) while awaiting a decision, and (2) after a refusal to remain decision has been made.
Lord Bates
The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, introduced the policy of national dispersal and was designed to introduce an equitable distribution across the country such that no one area was overburdened by the obligation of supporting asylum seekers. In accordance with that Act a number of local authorities across the UK, including those within the devolved administrations, have volunteered to participate in accomodating asylum seekers. There are currently 99 areas signed-up to participate.
The Home Office publish figures on the number of asylum applicants living in dispersed accommodation (under Section 95), by local authority, in the quarterly Immigration Statistics release. The latest release for July-September 2015 is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-july-to-september-2015/asylum
Figures on Section 95 support by local authority (including those in dispersed accommodation) are published in table as_16q, in volume 4 of the Asylum data tables: Asylum vol. 4: tables as 14 to as 19 q. These tables show that Northern Ireland is currently accommodating 497 applicants in dispersed accommodation. All will have claimed asylum in Northern Ireland.
National figures are also published on decision outcomes at the above link.
Home Office supports Asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute until their claim is fully determined and they have exhausted their appeal rights. Failed asylum seekers may be able to receive short-term support whilst preparing to return to their home country under section 4 of the 1999 Act.