Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alex Burghart this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–38 of 38 · Northern Ireland Office
With reference to his Department's publication entitled Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024, what progress his Department has made on establishing a UK Internal Market Guarantee.
The UK Internal Market Guarantee will apply to the operation of the UK internal market system when it is given effect next year. As envisaged in the Command Paper, this will be overseen by the Independent Monitoring Panel, the appointments to which were c...
With reference to his Department's publication entitled Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024, what progress his Department has made on ensuring there will be no checks when goods move wit
As set out in the Command Paper, as we transition to the UK internal market system we are focused on ensuring the smooth flow of trade through a risk-based and intelligence-led approach to tackling criminality, abuse of the scheme, smuggling and disease r...
Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 7835 on Terrorism: Northern Ireland, if he will publish details of all requests for public inquiries that he has considered.
I do not intend to publish details of the requests I receive for public inquiries. I have written to those whose requests I have recently considered.
With reference to his Department's publication entitled Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024, what progress his Department has made on the implementation of the measures set out in paragr
The Government is committed to taking all steps necessary to protect the UK internal market. We continue to make significant progress on measures set out in paragraph 43 of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper. Recent progress includes confirmation of...
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2024 to Question 5643 on Terrorism: Northern Ireland, how many requests for public inquiries he is considering.
I have recently considered several requests for public inquiries and decided to ask all the families involved to get in touch with the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). The Government will consider any further req...
Whether he plans to appeal against the judgment of the Belfast Court of Appeal in the challenge to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, delivered on 20 September 2024.
On 7 October 2024, I laid a Written Ministerial Statement in Parliament providing the Government’s initial response to the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal’s judgment in Dillon & Others. The statement can be found here: https://questions-statements.pa...
With reference to his oral statement of 11 September 2024 on Patrick Finucane Murder, Official Report, columns 841-3, whether he is considering other requests for public inquiries into incidents from the
The Government considers all requests for public inquiries on a case-by-case basis.As I outlined in my oral statement of 11 September 2024, there are exceptional reasons why I have decided to establish an inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane.
With reference to his oral statement of 11 September 2024 on Patrick Finucane Murder, Official Report, columns 842-3, when he plans to (a) appoint a chair of the inquiry and (b) have agreed terms of refe
The Government will follow due process under the Inquiries Act 2005 in establishing the inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane. This will include the appointment of the Inquiry Chair and consulting him on the Terms of Reference.As outlined in my oral ...
What recent progress the Expert Advisory Panel for Public History of British Policy During the Northern Ireland Conflict has made.
The advisory panel continues to work under the published terms of reference. I was pleased to meet with the panel on 17 September to discuss details of the project.
With reference to his speech of 7 September 2024, entitled A new chapter in the UK-Ireland relationship, when he plans to set out his plans to increase the independence of the Independent Commission on R
The High Court found the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) to be independent and capable of conducting human rights compliant investigations. The recent Court of Appeal judgment also recognised the structural indep...
When he plans to appoint a new Veterans’ Commissioner for Northern Ireland.
We are committed to continuing to support veterans in Northern Ireland, including through the Veterans Welfare Service NI and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. We will set out next steps for the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissio...
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 3049 on Patrick Finucane, if he will publish copies of his letters to (a) Mrs Finucane and (b) the Court of Appeal.
On Wednesday 11 September, I made an oral statement to Parliament announcing the Government’s intention to establish an independent inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane. I have notified the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal of this decision and Mrs G...
Which veterans' organisations he has met with to discuss his plans for the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
In my written ministerial statement of 29 July 2024, I committed to undertake a period of consultation with all interested parties, including veterans organisations, to hear views regarding a practical way forward on legacy issues that complies with human...
If he will publish the letter from Sir Iain Livingstone on the discovery of new documents relevant to Operation Kenova.
The letter addressed to me from Sir Iain Livingstone regarding the discovery of new documents relevant to Operation Kenova has already been published on the Operation Kenova website.
If he will publish his request to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland for extra time to consider the ruling in the case of Geraldine Finucane v Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
I met with Mrs Finucane on 25 July to hear firsthand her views, during which I explained that I would likely be required to seek an extension to the timetable set by the Court. I then wrote to Mrs Finucane and the Court of Appeal setting out in detail the rationale for the extension request, most notably that, in light of the recent change in government, the requirement for cross-government consultation, the need for officials across government to provide new Ministers with a full briefing on the case, and the parliamentary summer recess period during August, it would not be possible to reach a government decision on a process for investigation of the relevant aspects of Patrick Finucane’s death, that would be compliant with Article 2 of the European Court of Human Rights, within the timescale set by the Court (ie. by 22 August 2024).Mrs Finucane did not object to the Government’s request and the Court has granted the Government an extension to 27 September 2024 to respond to its judgement of 11 July 2024.I want to ensure that the Government makes a decision on this case as soon as possible and that this decision takes account of the views of Mrs Finucane.I will update the House on the Government’s position in due course.
If he will have discussions with the Victims Payments Board in Northern Ireland on the eligibility deadline for the backdated lump sum payment of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme.
In view of concerns raised by stakeholders that some potential applicants could lose out on backdated payments, I have decided to extend the date for which backdated payments can be made from the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme by two years, from 31 August 2024 to 31 August 2026.This extension will allow anyone deemed eligible in the five-year lifespan of the scheme, which makes acknowledgement payments to individuals who have been permanently injured during the Troubles, to avail of a payment backdated to 2014.This will assist both those who have suffered and are applying to the scheme, and those who are supporting applicants.
Whether he plans to take steps to (a) convene the East-West Council and (b) establish Intertrade UK.
The Government is committed to taking all necessary steps to protect the UK internal market, and to making progress on the commitments made in the Safeguarding the Union command paper. This includes taking steps to establish Intertrade UK and to convene t...
When he plans to reply to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 18 July 2024 on the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of Geraldine Finucane v Secretary of State for Northern Ireland of 11 July 2024.
I responded to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar on 25 July 2024.