Speeches by Patrick.

“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 …”

“That recommendation has gone straight to the Executive, as per the function. I think that is what happened in the first tranche as well.”

“Yes, because they sit on the transformation board, so they will absolutely be aware.”

“That is my understanding.”

“I believe that is sitting with the Northern Ireland Executive at this stage.”

“Soon, I hope. I know that the board has now got its recommendations. I think the next stage is for the Executive to bring that recommendation to Government, and will it be for us to then make a swift decision.”

“On civil service reform, I know that there is a conversation happening. I have not had that directly with a Minister there. In terms of what I have done directly, we have spoken with Minister Nesbitt about how his reset plan could dovetail in with the work of the Health Secretary here. I was with Minister Givan just re…”

“I think, actually, it is, because the conversations we are having are about how some of the learnings and lessons from transforming public services in UK Government could be realised in the Northern Ireland Executive. I have also sat down with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive to understand more about their p…”

“No—I have as well, absolutely. In fact, I have met each of the Executive Ministers, some several times. I have also asked our officials to help clear some blockages where they appear. I have also met Ministers here to understand what better information-sharing expertise could be offered to support—”

“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…”

“I have not met directly with the transformation board, but we have a representative from the Northern Ireland Office on it. I have met representatives on it. I met one of the independent experts who has been appointed and we had a very enthusiastic conversation about the prospect that AI could help transform public ser…”

“On a point of correction, tomorrow’s meeting is not the first meeting. I want to be really clear about that. I met them last month and have had conversations going back some months. We made sure that as soon as there was something clearly to communicate about what the local growth fund split looked like—that was in Nov…”

“That is why we are meeting with the PEACEPLUS body tomorrow to see what can be done, how we can be creative and how we can support that. I am sure the Executive will be asking themselves the same questions now after yesterday’s announcement of £225 million. On the principle here, devolution is really important. We have…”

“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…”

“When I met Baroness Foster, prior to the budget of £2.25 million being secured, I had this conversation with her. I asked her, “If there is no budget, what are you able to do?” She was confident that really good work could still be done. I know she has written letters to the Department about issues that are impacting b…”

“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…”

“Good. Well, let me maintain that.”

“I am energetic. I am determined. I wake up each and every day thinking, “How do we make life better for people?” In my job, I think about the Matthew living in Northern Ireland who wants a GP service that works for him, a school that works for his children, a hospital that can look after his family, and sufficient hous…”

“I do apologise if I have not demonstrated sufficient—”