Tag: Northern Ireland Office

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 8 March 2024.

The statement follows the findings of the report that was published on the 8th of March.

Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, said:

This statement is in response to the publication of the Operation Kenova Interim Report into the activities of an alleged agent known as ‘STAKEKNIFE’, which has just been published by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

There can be no doubt that the way Operation Kenova has conducted its work since being commissioned in 2016 has gained the trust of many families who have long been seeking answers as to what exactly happened when their loved ones were so brutally murdered by, and on the orders of, the Provisional IRA.

Over 3,500 people from all parts of the community were killed during the Troubles and tens of thousands more injured. Over 1,000 of those killed were members of the security forces. Their bravery, courage, dedication and sacrifice in seeking to uphold democracy and the rule of law must never be forgotten.

We must remember too that the vast majority of deaths during the Troubles, around 90 per cent, were perpetrated by terrorist organisations – in the substance of this report, by the Provisional IRA.

As this is an “interim” report, I will not comment at this time on behalf of the Government on the detail of the report. It contains several specific, very serious allegations that remain subject to consideration by the courts.

It would not be right for the Government to make any comment on the substance of the Interim Report until the conclusion of litigation related to it. I note the recent decisions made by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland in relation to files passed to them by Operation Kenova, which once again go to show how difficult it is to achieve criminal justice outcomes in legacy cases. Due to numerous related civil cases, however, that remain ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. There is also the prospect of appeals against any of the recent decisions made by the Director for Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

I would like to put on record again my deepest sympathy with all the families who lost loved ones during the Troubles – including as a result of the actions of the Provisional IRA.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 6 March 2024.

The statement follows the development that Northern Ireland-related Terrorism threat level has changed from severe to substantial.

MI5 has lowered the Northern Ireland-related Terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland (NI) from “SEVERE”, meaning an attack is highly likely to “SUBSTANTIAL”, meaning an attack is likely.

The decision to change the threat level is taken by MI5, independently of Ministers.

This is a systematic, comprehensive and rigorous process, based on the very latest intelligence and analysis of factors which drive the threat.

The fact that the threat level is being lowered is testament to the tremendous efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and MI5 to tackle Northern Ireland related terrorism.

This positive step reflects the commitment of communities from across Northern Ireland to build a safer place to live and work.

As ever, the public should remain vigilant and report any concerns they may have to the police. There remains a small group of people determined to destabilise the political settlement in Northern Ireland through acts of terrorism.

The Government, police and intelligence agencies will continue to work tirelessly to address the threat posed by terrorism in all its forms. The threat level will be kept under constant review.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 23 February 2024.

Minister of State, Steve Baker, visited the ART for LIFE exhibition at Ulster University to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

The exhibition showcases works by talented artists living in Ukraine and Northern Ireland, who have dedicated their art to supporting Ukraine.

Mr Baker said: ”It was a deeply moving experience to view such amazing artwork by artists whose response to Russia’s illegal invasion was to create art and who have generously donated their pieces to help provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the war.

“The UK Government continues to stand with Ukraine, its democratically-elected government and its brave people at this awful time.”

The exhibition runs until February 26 at the Belfast campus.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 21 February 2024.

The Lord Caine has welcomed the opening of the Limavady Shared Education campus.

A UK Government Minister has welcomed the opening of a new Shared Education facility in Limavady.

The Lord Caine, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, was in attendance at the official opening ceremony today (Wednesday) of the Limavady Shared Education Campus, bringing together Limavady High School and St. Mary’s High School for certain classes.

The project was constructed with support from the UK Government’s Fresh Start funding for integrated and shared education.

Speaking at the event, Lord Caine commended both schools for their “commitment to reconciliation and educational excellence” providing “state of the art facilities to enable young people to work together to reach their potential”.

He said: “The Government believes that greater integration within education is an essential aspect of the reconciliation process in Northern Ireland. This was affirmed as a commitment in the Belfast Agreement.

“The Government also wants every child in the United Kingdom to have a high quality education, and for parents to have a genuine choice of high quality schools.

“It is for these reasons that the UK Government made available capital funding to build integrated and shared schools as part of the Fresh Start Agreement.”

Welcoming the presence of both the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, and the Education Minister, at the shared campus opening, Lord Caine encouraged the new Executive to “progress with the important work of transformation and improvement in public services, including education.”

He added: “The UK Government will continue to support and promote educational integration in Northern Ireland – for the future success of Northern Ireland rests on its young being able to grow up looking forward to a shared future, rather than back to a divided past.”

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 21 February 2024.

The UK Government has today (21 February) published the Terms of Reference for the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the Terms of Reference for the Omagh Bombing Inquiry, following agreement from the Chair of the Inquiry, Lord Turnbull.

Last year, the UK Government confirmed an independent statutory inquiry would be established into the preventability of the Omagh bombing in August 1998.

The atrocity, carried out by the Real IRA, killed 29 people and two unborn children, and injured 220 others.

The Terms of Reference are focused on the four grounds identified by the Northern Ireland High Court as giving rise to plausible arguments that the bombing could have been prevented.

The Inquiry will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005, with full powers, including the power to compel the production of documents and to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath.

Details of the Terms of Reference were outlined by the Secretary of State via a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament today.

He said: “I want to first again express my deepest sympathy for all of those affected by the Omagh bombing in August 1998. It was a cruel atrocity carried out, not just on the people of Omagh, but on all those in Northern Ireland who supported the peace process.

“Following the announcement of the Inquiry in February 2023, and the appointment of Lord Turnbull as Chair in June 2023, I have now agreed with Lord Turnbull the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry. These are focused on the four grounds identified by the Northern Ireland High Court as giving rise to plausible arguments that the bombing could have been prevented.

“With the Terms of Reference now agreed, the Inquiry can press ahead with its work to comply with the judgement of the High Court, demonstrating the UK Government’s ongoing commitment to taking proper action on legacy related matters.

“The Inquiry Chair will now undertake a setting-up exercise to design the Inquiry as he sees fit, and he will announce further detail about the Inquiry in due course.”

Mr Heaton-Harris also called on the Irish Government to set out its own position with regard to the High Court ruling.

He said: “I urge the Irish Government to now explain what consideration it has given to the setting up of an investigation in Ireland to discharge its obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, in line with the clear direction of the High Court.”

Note to Editors:

The Full Written Ministerial Statement regarding the Terms of Reference for the Omagh Bombing Inquiry can be found here.

More information regarding the Omagh Bombing Inquiry can be found here.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 13 February 2024.

The UK Government has written to the NI Minister of Finance outlining the detail of the spending settlement worth in excess of £3.3 billion.

The significant, fair and generous spending settlement will allow the Northern Ireland Executive to stabilise public services, better manage public finances, increase opportunities for improved infrastructure and investment, pave the way for transformation of public services, and enable the delivery of a pay award (2023-24) to public sector workers.

The letter to Dr Caoimhe Archibald confirms that the UK Government package will:

• Provide a needs-based factor in the Barnett formula to be set at 24% from 2024-25. This reflects the different levels of need in Northern Ireland and ensures Northern Ireland receives the right level of funding for its public services into the future;
• Stabilise public finances with over £1 billion of funding made available;
• Tackle the acute situation that the health service in Northern Ireland faces by providing £34 million for hospital waiting lists;
• Enable flexibilities on debt repayment to support management of general pressures;
• Provide funding in 2023-24 to help address public sector pay;
• Increase the spending power of the Executive to pave the way for transformation by repurposing over £700 million of existing and new UK Government funds; and,
• Increase the Northern Ireland Executive’s annual capital borrowing limit by 10% in 2024-25 which will then increase annually in line with inflation.

In addition, the UK Government has committed to open discussions with the Executive on a new Fiscal Framework for Northern Ireland.

The UK Government remains determined to support the Executive to unlock the opportunities that this package presents. The package therefore contains built in commitments to ensure progress at pace for the people of Northern Ireland. This includes publishing and implementing a plan to deliver sustainable finances –  including delivery of a balanced budget for 2024-25 by raising a minimum of £113 million through locally generated income as outlined in discussions in December- as well as publishing a comprehensive and costed long-term strategic infrastructure plan setting out priority areas for action and how it will support prosperity and growth. It will be for the Northern Ireland Executive to determine if they will consider a different course of action as part of their sustainability plan to deliver the public services that Northern Ireland needs.

Welcoming the letter, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said:

“This package tackles the immediate budget pressures facing the restored Executive and allows it to take action to rapidly stabilise public services, while increasing opportunities for investment and improved infrastructure.

“It also paves the way for vital transformation of public services, and will deliver well-deserved pay awards for public sector workers.

“It is now for the Northern Ireland Executive to use this significant financial package to take forward the vital work of public service transformation and the commitment to deliver sustainable finances –  ensuring better outcomes in the day to day lives of the people in Northern Ireland.”

For a summary of the financial settlement see Summary: Financial Settlement between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive (PDF, 93.7 KB, 2 pages)

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 2 February 2024.

The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment members to CCEA.

The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of Ms Jackie Bartley, Dr Michael Johnston MBE, Ms Sheila McClelland, Professor Susan Morison and Ms Maire Thompson as new members of the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment. In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, these appointments were made under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022.

The new members took up post on 2 February 2024 and will join Mrs Paula Leitch who was re-appointed for a further term of four years on 26 October 2023.

These new members will bring a wealth of private and public sector experience to the CCEA Council. The successful candidates have extensive backgrounds in such areas as governance, strategic decision making, professional knowledge, analytical thinking and working with others. Their significant knowledge and skills will play a key role in underpinning the work of the Council.

Biography

Ms Jackie Bartley is currently Principal of St Genevieve’s High School, Belfast.  She was a teacher for the past 33 years and a school leader for 13 years and has been a member of several Department of Education Practitioner Groups.  She has been the post primary Chairperson of the National Executive of the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) and has recently taken up the role of President. Ms Bartley has a thorough knowledge of the curriculum and qualifications, was formerly a co-opted Principal CCEA Council member and has worked closely with the CCEA Director of Education and her Team. She does not hold any other public appointments.

Dr Michael Johnston MBE is a former Chief Executive of the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland.  He is a former visiting Professor to the Ulster University Business School and Chairman of CAFRE’s College Advisory Group, a former Board member of the European Milk Forum and former Chairman of the International Dairy Federation’s Standing Committee on Marketing.  He is an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Dr Johnston is a Board member of Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health.  He does not hold any other public appointments.

Ms Sheila McClelland is currently Chief Executive of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and is a Board member of Cooperation Ireland and a member of the Governing Body of Maynooth University.  She was previously Director of Corporate Services at CCEA and was Chairperson of the Board of the Consumer Council (CCNI), a Board member of NI Co-operation Overseas (NICO) and was a NI committee member on the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Ms McClelland holds one other public appointment as a Board member of the Communities Relations Council for which she receives no remuneration.

Professor Susan Morison is Professor Emeritus and Honorary Professor of Healthcare Education at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). Formerly she was Director of Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Education, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Deputy Director of the QUB Dental School and Director of the DEL-funded, Centre for Excellence in Interprofessional Education (IPE). As Honorary Professor she undertakes unremunerated activities for QUB including PhD supervision, admissions interviews and contributes to healthcare education research projects. She has also been an Education Associate of the General Dental Council and served on a number of education-related committees.  Professor Morison does not hold any other public appointments.

Ms Máire Thompson is currently principal of Hazelwood Integrated College. Newtownabbey, and formerly principal of Malone College, Belfast.  She is an Associate Assessor with the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) and an Associate of the Association of Education Advisers (AoEA). She is a member of various educational stakeholder groups, including the CCEA Curriculum and Assessment Principals’ Group, the Excluded Lives Advisory Group and the A Fair Start Stakeholders’ Reference Group.  She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for services to Education by Ulster University in 2022, the same year that Hazelwood College won TES UK School of the Year. She was awarded the Pearson UK Principal of the Year in 2017.  Ms Thompson does not hold any other public appointments.

Mrs Paula Leitch is a former Assistant Principal of the Belfast Model School for Girls and former member of the Belfast Education and Library Board. She is currently a Director of the Controlled Schools’ Support Council and a member of Stranmillis College Board.

Details of body

CCEA is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department of Education and is responsible for keeping under review all aspects of the curriculum, examinations and assessment for schools including developing, conducting and moderating qualifications and assessments, and developing resources to support the implementation of the curriculum. Further information about the work of the organisation can be found at www.ccea.org.uk.

Terms Of Appointment

The five new appointments will be from the date of appointment until 25 October 2027. The time commitment is approximately 2 days per month. Members are not remunerated but are eligible to claim travel and other expenses necessarily incurred while carrying out their CCEA duties. They are non-pensionable.

The one re-appointment commenced on 26 October 2023 until 25 October 2027.

Regulation

In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, these appointments have been made under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022, and in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Ms Bartley, Dr Johnston MBE, Ms McClelland, Ms Maire Thompson and Ms Paula Leitch have not declared any political activity in the last five years. Professor Susan Morison has declared that during the last five years she has undertaken political activity as Woman’s Officer for the Labour Party in Northern Ireland (LPNI) from April 2023 to January 2024.

Notes to Editors

1. The Council’s membership comprises a Chairperson and 13 members all of whom are appointed by the Department of Education.
2. The recruitment competition was widely advertised including in the Public Appointments section of NI Direct. The competition was sought to fill vacancies on the Council.
3. Media queries should be directed to the Department of Education press office via email at press.office@education-ni.gov.uk
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 2 February 2024.

In an opinion piece, published in the News Letter, The Lord Caine discusses the significant role of Northern Ireland within the Union.

As I said in my maiden speech in the House of Lords in 2019, I am an unashamed and unapologetic unionist. I believe fervently that the best future for Northern Ireland will always be as an integral part of a strong and prosperous United Kingdom.

Those are sentiments that have motivated me throughout my 35 years of involvement in the affairs of Northern Ireland, both as an adviser to six Secretaries of State and now as one of His Majesty’s Ministers.  They are as rock firm today as they have ever been.  My conviction that the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom are stronger and better together remains unshakeable.

The United Kingdom is, of course, the most successful political and economic union in the world. My unionism, however, is not simply about some misty eyed nostalgia for the past.  Rather it is based on the belief that our best days lay ahead and what we can build together, united in common purpose and shared destiny.

Northern Ireland benefits hugely from membership of the United Kingdom.  For example, the strength and security of being part of the world’s sixth largest economy, sharing our great national institutions like the NHS, and, of course, the global reach of our country.  Yet the United Kingdom as a whole is richer for the contribution that Northern Ireland makes to our national life, and without which we would collectively be much the poorer.

I recognise, however, that there are many people in Northern Ireland who do not share these views and who have different political aspirations.  My unionism is one that deeply values and respects constitutional nationalism and the desire for a united Ireland pursued by peaceful and democratic means, while not sharing it.  Moreover, I want nothing less than the strongest possible relationship with Ireland, recognising that there might occasionally be issues on which we differ.

Northern Ireland’s position in the United Kingdom is, of course, based on consent.  The task for those of us who want to see the union prosper is to think of how we can broaden support for Northern Ireland’s constitutional position in a world that is very different to the one in which the Agreement was reached in 1998.

Central to that approach has to be to make Northern Ireland work and flourish and to do so for everyone, regardless of their community background or political aspirations.  That requires fully functioning, devolved, power sharing institutions with locally elected politicians taking decisions over local matters accountable to a local Assembly.

I warmly welcome, therefore, the decision by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to take his party back into the devolved institutions at Stormont, backed by Westminster legislation that re-affirms and safeguards both now and in the long term Northern Ireland’s place within our Union and the UK internal market, by far the most important for Northern Ireland trade and business.

This is alongside the financial package of over £3 billion to help face pressing challenges for public services, giving public sector workers the pay rise they deserve, and maximising Northern Ireland’s economic opportunities.  All of this underlines the enduring commitment of this Conservative and Unionist Government to Northern Ireland and governing for the whole community.

With Stormont back, we will have the opportunity, by working together, to raise up that stronger, more prosperous Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom – where politics works, the economy grows and society is more united. Building a Northern Ireland that works, where people from all parts of the community are content to live, work and raise a family, has to be the surest way of strengthening the Union in which I so passionately believe.

The press release issued by the Department for Northern Ireland on 2 February 2024.

The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of a new member of the Board of NIFHA.

The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of Robert Ryans as a new member of the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority Board. In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, this appointment was made under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022.

Mr Ryans will take up the post on 12 February 2024.

Robert Ryans has extensive senior management experience in a highly competitive domain of the retail sector. He brings an in-depth knowledge of people development, strategic and financial planning and commercial and operational performance.

Details of body

The Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority is an Executive non-departmental  public body (Executive NDPB) sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). It was established in 1973 under the Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 and the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour  Authority Order (Northern Ireland) 1973 and has responsibility for the fishery  harbours and harbour estates of Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie.

Terms Of Appointment

• The member role requires approximately 16-18 days per annum.
• The appointment is for a four-year term.
• The Member position is remunerated at £5,099 per annum.

Regulation

The procedure for these appointments is designed to adhere to the Code of Practice  issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. This  means that the process will be based on merit after a fair, open and transparent  process that involves independent scrutiny. A copy of the code can be found at: https://www.publicappointmentsni.org/

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection  process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland  requires the political activity of appointees to be published. The appointee has declared they have had no political activity in the last 5 years.

Notes to editors

1. The NIFHA was added by Statutory Instrument to the Northern Ireland Executive  Formation Act 2022 on 11 July 2023.
2. Media queries should be directed to the DAERA press office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or phone 02890 524619.
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media  enquiries only between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs Monday to Friday and at  weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028  9037 8110.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 1 February 2024.

The statement follows the the request made by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to recall the NI Assembly and work with the other parties.