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1246293

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Borders: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions his Department had with the Government of the Republic of Ireland prior to the imposition of border checks on the UK-Republic of Ireland border.
	tabling member constituency	South Antrim
	tabling member printed	Paul Girvan
	uin	107717
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>Since the start of this pandemic, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met regularly with the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to coordinate the coronavirus response.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State and the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs recently chaired a conference call with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland Health Ministers to discuss the ongoing response to Covid-19 on the island of Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>There has been no discussion of the imposition of checks in the Republic of Ireland. The enforcement of Covid restrictions in the Republic of Ireland is a matter for the Irish Government.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 02/11/2020 15:57:17 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4633 label Biography information for Paul Girvan

1246295

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Borders: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the compliance with the terms agreed under the (a) Belfast Agreement, (b) St. Andrew's Agreement and (c) subsequent bilateral agreements between the UK and Republic of Ireland of the Irish Government's steps to enforce border checkpoints between the UK and Republic of Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	South Antrim
	tabling member printed	Paul Girvan
	uin	107718
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to working with the government of Ireland on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. There have been regular discussions on how to achieve a joint approach, including between Ministers and officials from the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive, and from the Irish Government.</p><p> </p><p>There is a determination to work together to ensure that measures safeguard the health and wellbeing of UK and Irish citizens, and abide by obligations under the Belfast Agreement and the Common Travel Area.</p><p> </p><p>The enforcement of Covid restrictions in the Republic of Ireland is a matter for the Irish Government.</p><p><br> <br></p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 02/11/2020 15:58:40 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4633 label Biography information for Paul Girvan

1217535

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Borders: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on border infrastructure in Northern Ireland in the event of the UK leaving the transition period without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	64344
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2020 answer text <p>The Government remains optimistic and is working hard to reach an agreement with the EU on our future relationship. That is why we have agreed to an intensified talks process throughout July.</p><p> </p><p>The Ireland and Northern Ireland Protocol will be delivered by the end of the Transition Period. There will be no new physical customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland and we see no need to build any.</p><p> </p><p>We will be making the necessary adjustments to existing entry points for agrifood goods to provide for proportionate additional controls, including some checks to help movements of live animals and agri-food from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. This is in order to respect the pre-existing status of the island of Ireland as a single epidemiological unit. We will also work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive, and with the EU in the Joint Committee, to seek to simplify and minimise any requirements.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is working closely with colleagues across Cabinet and with minsters from the Northern Ireland Executive in support of this, taking account of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 03/07/2020 13:18:45 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1216129

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Borders: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he plans to take to support border areas in Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period.
	tabling member constituency	Foyle
	tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
	uin	62695
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2020 answer text <p>The Protocol provides a practical solution to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland in a way that preserves the Belfast (“Good Friday”) Agreement and continues to protect the interests of people and businesses in Northern Ireland. The Government will continue to support East-West and North-South cooperation to protect communities and individuals, including in border areas.</p><p> </p><p>We have already guaranteed that businesses will face no tariffs for movement of goods within the UK, will have unfettered access to the whole UK market for NI goods, and will benefit from the lower tariffs we deliver through our new Free Trade Agreements with third countries. In addition, the Government remains committed to a New Deal for Northern Ireland to help boost economic growth, competitiveness and to support infrastructure and connectivity North-South and East-West.</p><p> </p><p>We have also committed to participation in the Peace Plus programme. The programme will support activities to promote peace and reconciliation and contribute to the cross-border economic and territorial development of the region.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 26/06/2020 13:30:55 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker previous answer version 32160 answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1134835

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
	answering dept id	203
	answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
	answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
	hansard heading	Borders: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent steps he has taken with the European Commission to ensure that there is not a hard border on the island of Ireland in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	South Northamptonshire
	tabling member printed	Andrea Leadsom
	uin	269730
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union has regularly met with the EU Commission to discuss preparations for leaving the EU.</p><p>The Government has been clear that the unique social, political and economic circumstances of Northern Ireland must be reflected in any arrangements that apply in a no deal scenario. We are absolutely committed to upholding the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, and would do everything possible to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.</p><p>In a no deal scenario, the UK Government is committed to entering into discussions urgently with the European Commission and the Irish Government to jointly agree long-term measures to avoid a hard border and to limit the impact of a no deal exit on life on the island of Ireland.</p><p>We have confirmed a unilateral approach to checks, processes and tariffs to do all we can to avoid a hard border. The UK Government would not introduce any new checks or controls on goods crossing from Ireland to Northern Ireland, including any new customs declarations for nearly all goods.</p><p>The UK temporary tariff regime would therefore not apply to goods crossing from Ireland into Northern Ireland.</p><p>We would need to apply a small number of measures strictly necessary to comply with international legal obligations, protect the biosecurity of the island of Ireland, or to avoid the highest risks to Northern Ireland businesses - but these measures would not require checks at the border.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 01/07/2019 15:10:51 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom

1055374

	registered interest
	date	05/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
	answering dept id	203
	answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
	answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
	hansard heading	Borders: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment he has made of the potential financial effects of the backstop on UK trading opportunities with the rest of the world after the UK leaves the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	217003
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>The UK will be able to negotiate, sign and ratify free trade agreements with rest of world partners and, if the backstop were to come into force following the Implementation Period, implement any elements that do not affect the functioning of the backstop. The backstop is not something that either the UK or the EU would ever want to come into force and, if it were to come into effect, both sides have been clear it should only be in place for a short time. The UK and EU are also legally obliged under the Protocol to use their best endeavours to facilitate trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, recognising the importance of that trade.</p><p>The Government’s long term economic analysis considers both the costs and benefits of moving to new trading relationships with the EU, and opportunities for ambitious new trade deals with new partners in the rest of the world. The analysis shows that the proposed deal is the best deal available for jobs and our economy that allows us to honour the result of the referendum and realise the opportunities of EU exit. The analysis can be found at the following link: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/760484/28_November_EU_Exit_-_Long-term_economic_analysis__1_.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/760484/28_November_EU_Exit_-_Long-term_economic_analysis__1_.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 11/02/2019 15:39:24 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1052310

	registered interest
	date	31/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
	answering dept id	203
	answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
	answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
	hansard heading	Borders: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps are being taken to avoid a hard border in Ireland in the event that the Prime Minister's withdrawal agreement is rejected by Parliament.
	tabling member constituency	Blackburn
	tabling member printed	Kate Hollern
	uin	215202
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2019 answer text <p>The best way to guarantee no hard border remains delivering a deal with the EU. Both the UK and Ireland have said they will do everything in our power to avoid a hard border in any scenario. But, given that we haven’t yet agreed a deal, the Government’s continued duty is to prepare for every eventuality, including a no deal scenario.</p><p>The UK Government is clear that, in the event of no deal, we will do everything in our power to prevent a return to a hard border. In such a scenario, we must continue to respect our unique relationship with Ireland, with whom we share a land border and who are co-signatories of the Belfast Agreement. The UK Government is also firmly committed to maintaining the Common Travel Area (CTA) and to protecting the rights enjoyed by UK and Irish nationals when in each other’s state, regardless of the terms of our withdrawal from the EU.</p><p>The Government has published a technical notice on travelling within the CTA, which can be found on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/travelling-in-the-common-travel-area-if-theres-no-brexit-deal/travelling-within-the-common-travel-area-and-the-associated-rights-of-british-and-irish-citizens-if-there-is-no-brexit-deal" target="_blank">gov.uk</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 05/02/2019 12:21:37 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4363 label Biography information for Kate Hollern

1017499

	registered interest
	date	30/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
	answering dept id	203
	answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
	answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
	hansard heading	Borders: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what role the Government's chief scientific officer has in respect of the technological developments required to provide an alternative arrangement on the Irish border.
	tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
	tabling member printed	Frank Field
	uin	197594
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2018 answer text <p>The Political Declaration is explicit that the UK and EU should take forward urgent work to establish alternative arrangements that guarantee there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland on a permanent basis. Given the urgency and importance of these considerations, that work will draw upon all appropriate expertise within Government.</p><p>The role of the GCSA and departmental CSAs in preparations for leaving the EU is to provide science advice in all relevant areas. They are doing so across a range of areas on a regular basis.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 12/12/2018 16:15:01 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

999370

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2018
	answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
	answering dept id	203
	answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
	answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
	hansard heading	Borders: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what plans he has to visit the land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland before Christmas 2018; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	North Down
	tabling member printed	Lady Hermon
	uin	186236
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2018 answer text <p>The Secretary of State visited the border on 2 November recognising the importance of protecting the communities on both sides. The former Secretary of State visited Northern Ireland twice this year and I visited in October for meetings with civil society and human rights bodies as part of a wider programme of engagement carried out by Government ministers and officials.<br><br>We remain committed to agreeing a mutually advantageous deal with the EU. It is a key part of these negotiations that we deliver for the people of Northern Ireland and deliver on all our commitments in the joint report including with regard to North/South cooperation, the Belfast Agreement and the integrity of the Single Market<strong><br> </strong></p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 08/11/2018 12:00:48 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	1437 label Biography information for Lady Hermon

968328

	registered interest
	date	05/09/2018
	answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
	answering dept id	203
	answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
	answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
	hansard heading	Borders: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what progress he has made with his counterparts in the EU on the prevention of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as a result of the UK leaving the EU without remaining in (a) a customs union or (b) the single market.
	tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
	tabling member printed	David Simpson
	uin	170741
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2018 answer text <p>We are working at pace with the European Commission to secure a future relationship that meets in full the commitments we made in the December Joint Report on Northern Ireland. This is reflected fully in our White Paper proposals, which would avoid a hard border, preserve the integrity of the UK internal market and Northern Ireland’s place within it, and preserve North-South cooperation in line with the Belfast Agreement.</p><p>It is rightly the priority on all sides that those issues should be resolved through our future partnership. But we remain absolutely committed to agreeing a legally operative backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement alongside a framework for that future relationship. We have already agreed legal text with the EU on maintaining the Common Travel Area and associated rights and on protecting North-South cooperation. We have put forward an alternative proposal on the customs elements of the backstop, the Temporary Customs Arrangement, that would only come into force in specific and narrow circumstances. We are now intensifying discussions on both fronts as we look ahead to reaching agreement in the autumn.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 21/09/2018 11:23:37 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson