Tag: Lord Laird

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-02-02.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the cost to the public purse in each year since 1998 of the operation of the secretariat of the North/South Ministerial Council agreed to in the Belfast Agreement 1998.

Lord Dunlop

The North/South Ministerial Council is funded jointly by the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. The operating costs of the secretariat are published by the NSMC in their Annual Reports which are available on their website.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-03-01.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will establish an inquiry into the Omagh bombing of 1998 and the handling of the investigation into that bombing by the security forces.

Lord Dunlop

The Government’s position, as announced in September 2013, remains that following careful consideration and consultation there should be no public inquiry. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland concluded that a further inquiry or review would not deliver results going beyond what had already been uncovered by previous investigations and processes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-05-19.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government who defines parity of esteem as required by the Belfast Agreement 1998; how it is defined; whether it is possible to change the definition; and if so, how.

Lord Dunlop

‘Parity of esteem’ is expressed and defined in the 1998 Belfast Agreement in relation to people living in Northern Ireland. That Agreement was reached following talks between the then UK Labour Government, several of Northern Ireland’s political parties – including the Ulster Unionist Party, Sinn Fein and others – and the then Irish Government. This Government sees parity of esteem as treating everybody in Northern Ireland fairly, with equal respect, just as it is committed to treating people fairly and with equal respect wherever they live in the United Kingdom.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-10-19.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what revisions have been made to the Northern Ireland Parades Commission procedural rules and guidelines in the last five years.

Lord Dunlop

No revisions have been made to the procedural rules or the guidelines issued by the Parades Commission in the last five years. In line with the provisions of the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998, the procedural rules and the guidelines are required to be kept under review by the Commission; it is a matter for the Commission whether it proposes any revisions to the relevant instruments.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-10-28.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what circumstances a coroner’s investigation and court hearing is not necessary in the case of a sudden death.

Lord Faulks

Sudden deaths are always investigated by coroners in England and Wales.

Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 the coroner has a duty to investigate a death that is reported to him or her if it appears that the death was violent or unnatural, the cause of the death is unknown, or the person died in state detention. If the investigation does not disclose the cause of death, indicates that the death was unnatural, or the coroner considers that there is good reason to continue the investigation, he or she has a duty to hold an inquest.

Where someone is to be prosecuted for causing a death, the coroner’s investigation must be suspended and any inquest adjourned, until the criminal trial is over. The coroner may only resume the investigation after the trial if he or she considers there is sufficient reason for doing so. The coroner must also suspend an investigation where an inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 is to be held into the death. Again, the coroner may only resume the investigation after the inquiry has reported if he or she considers there is sufficient reason for doing so.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-11-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether members of the security forces are included within the concept of parity of esteem as required by the Belfast Agreement 1998.

Lord Dunlop

The Government believes in parity of esteem for all the people of Northern Ireland.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-12-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements are in place to provide financial and other travel assistance to failed asylum seekers to enable them to return home; and what assessment they have made of whether those arrangements are being used in Northern Ireland, and to what degree.

Lord Bates

The Home Office offers assistance to failed asylum seekers who wish to return to their country of origin, including help with flights, travel documentation and financial assistance where necessary. Voluntary departures are designed to achieve a dignified return for those individuals with the most complex needs who wish to arrange their own return from the UK. This assistance is available throughout the UK including Northern Ireland and we do not target particular areas or groups.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-01-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have compensated those members of the Ulster Defence Regiment who underwent target practice without ear muffs; and if not, why not.

Earl Howe

Yes, although some claims remain under consideration.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-01-28.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their policy of transparency applies to the Belfast Agreement 1998, and if not, why not.

Lord Dunlop

This Government is committed to transparency across a range of areas, including in respect of its role in the implementation of successive political Agreements in Northern Ireland.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-02-02.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the section of the Belfast Agreement 1998 entitled Human Rights, in the subsection Comparable Steps by the Irish Government, what is their interpretation of the meaning of the statement that that government will bring forward measures to ensure at least an equivalent level of protection of human rights as will pertain in Northern Ireland”; how that commitment is monitored; and what changes the government of the Republic of Ireland reported to them as a result of that commitment.”

Lord Dunlop

The Belfast Agreement commits the Irish Government to ensuring an equivalent level of protection for human rights in Ireland to that established in Northern Ireland by the Agreement. As a result of this commitment, the Irish Government established the Irish Human Rights Commission, which in November 2014 merged with the Equality Authority to form the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The UK and Irish Governments meet regularly both at ministerial and official level to discuss issues of mutual interest and concerns including matters relating to the implementation of the Belfast Agreement in each jurisdiction. These include matters relating to human rights in Northern Ireland and Ireland.