Written question asked by Lord Laird (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Monday, 19 December 2005.

Belfast Security Barriers

Question: Further to the Written Answers by the Lord President on 2 February (WA 38) and by Lord Rooker on 10 October (WA 60), (a) which body consulted the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) at Musgrave Street, about the removal of the security barriers at lower Chichester Street in Belfast; (b) whether the decision to remove the barriers rests with the PSNI; (c) why these barriers are not identified by the ongoing review of the removal of town centre barriers in the Northern Ireland Office (NIO); (d) which barriers are under consideration in the NIO review; and (e) why the barriers at lower Chichester Street are needed, given the verification of the decommissioning of Irish Republican Army weapons.

Answer: (a) The Northern Ireland Office consulted the PSNI about the removal of barriers at lower Chichester Street in Belfast; (b) the decision to remove the barriers rests with the Northern Ireland Office: however any decision would be based on the PSNI’s security advice; (c) the barriers at lower Chichester Street were not included in the Northern Ireland Office review because they were deemed to be a permanent installation and were put in place specifically to provide a secure area around the courts complex; (d) all other town centre barriers in Northern Ireland were included in the Northern Ireland Office review; and (e) the barrier at lower Chichester Street is under active consideration.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 1738; 676 c201WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Amos, Baroness
Wednesday, 2 February 2005
Written questions
House of Lords; Northern Ireland: Belfast Security Barriers
Monday, 10 October 2005
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Courts Closures Belfast Police Service of Northern Ireland Security Roads Reviews
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk