Speeches by Patrick.

“There is rightly huge pride in the defence sector in Northern Ireland, where aerospace and defence are worth more than £2 billion a year. The defence growth deal will unlock even more opportunities for businesses, workers and apprentices.”

“Not only have we given a record settlement—more than ever before in the Executive’s history since devolution—but we are supporting the Executive, having discussions with them and encouraging them to set a budget, so that the people of Northern Ireland can see the improvement in public services that they really need.”

“I will do all that I can to ensure that. I have met many of those businesses and many small businesses from across Northern Ireland to discuss the defence growth deal. The hon. Member will be pleased to see there is a focus on skills and supply chains to support more of those businesses.”

“Of course. The dedication and professionalism of our armed forces is respected across this House, the country and the world, and we must have a strong defence industry standing behind them. Through the defence industrial strategy, businesses right across the United Kingdom can play their part in taking our defence indu…”

“Yes, but, as I have always said, it is not just a question of cutting a cheque and walking away. Of course we have given more money to the Executive than has ever been received before in the history of devolution—[Hon. Members: “Hear, hear!”] I am glad that that is welcomed on our Benches, but we also bring partnership…”

“Public service reform is needed, and that is exactly what we are doing. Just last week we announced a £42 million package to be invested in the digitising of prescriptions. With 45 million prescriptions issued every year, the service is inefficient and expensive, and we are changing that.”

“The first duty of any Government is to protect their people, and this Government are ensuring that we all feel the benefit of the investment in defence. Take, for example, the £1.6 billion deal to supply missiles to Ukraine—manufactured in Belfast and built by Thales—which is supporting hundreds of jobs and tripling pr…”

“Those conversations are ongoing. We had a recent Westminster Hall debate about those issues, and we will have further conversations with party leaders. I will gently say, however, that those conservations cannot be a substitute for improving services now. Improvements can be made. The hon. Member and I have talked abou…”

“My hon. Friend is right: no person has a monopoly on good ideas, and no Government do either. I want the best for the whole United Kingdom. Where Northern Ireland leads the way, we can try to roll that out across the rest of the UK, but where it needs support—for instance on the digitising of prescriptions—we will prov…”

“We are very proud of the investment we are making in the Northern Ireland economy and in an already booming defence sector. I think people from right across Northern Ireland welcome that investment in good jobs.”

“I have not read the report from techUK, but I look forward to reading it. I think the right hon. Member might mean the defence investment plan, which we are hoping will be published next month before the NATO summit.”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right. This investment is a win-win-win—we protect ourselves, our allies and our economy, and with that we boost opportunities for people to get good, long-lasting and rewarding jobs.”

“My hon. Friend is right. Not only are businesses thriving and creating good jobs, but they are protecting us and our allies, including protecting Ukraine from Russian aggression. I am proud of Northern Ireland’s critical role in defending our country and protecting our allies.”

“I would be very happy to join the hon. Member on that visit. He makes his case powerfully and rightly pays tribute to the brave men and women who serve in our police. I am sure that the Executive will have heard his case for the PSNI as well.”

“We are all indebted to the men and women who serve in our police force, who work day in, day out to keep our communities safe. I know that the Police Service of Northern Ireland purchased the site in the hon. Member’s constituency last year. He will know that policing and justice is devolved, so the next steps are for …”

“No, don’t apologise—I hear it. I have heard and felt the same passion from the groups I have met on the ground in Northern Ireland, and I have heard it from colleagues around this table and other Northern Irish MPs. I really hear it. That is why we want to work as practically as we can to identify a way of funding that…”

“First, I acknowledge the difficulty that this has caused to the voluntary and community sector. I have heard that in representations from people around this room and I have heard it in meetings directly with them; I have seen it quite clearly. I know it is not an easy period. I can talk through the local growth fund an…”

“I hear that, but any of those people who do not want Northern Ireland to work have a whole room of opponents here. That is why we are here. We are here to find out what is not working and how we change that. We are here to find out what is working well and work out how we accelerate that. Part of my job—whether it is m…”

“I think the Secretary of State set out that he had a meeting recently with party leaders to hear those ideas. You will know that I was at the debate in Westminster Hall. That was a fruitful, interesting debate, and people had different ideas. I think you are right that there was an appetite for doing something, but the…”

“Thank you very much, Secretary of State, and thank you for that question, Ms Murray. I think the Secretary of State gave you a really comprehensive overview of the funding situation. Regarding health, I think that in Minister Nesbitt we have a Health Minister who is really starting to see some good results with his res…”