Oral answer to question provided on Thursday, 8 February 2007 in the House of Lords, by Lord Rooker (Labour).

Northern Ireland: Devolution

Answer: My Lords, what I have said is that there are no new conditions, barriers and hurdles that the Government, Parliament or anyone else should put in the way. All the commitments that have been demanded have been met. That is why the election process is now under way. If it they had not been met, we would not be in this process. It now falls to the parties to fight it out, with their mandates, before the people of Northern Ireland on 7 March—it is only four weeks from today, so we do not have long to wait to get some answers.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Thursday, 8 February 2007 by Lord Dykes (Liberal Democrat).

Question: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his sensible suggestions. Despite what he said, because he sounds a bit pessimistic, is he confident that the DUP will not keep inventing new conditions for Sinn Fein to follow? Otherwise, it will be accused of wrecking the election.

Secondary information