Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic & Labour Party). It was answered on Wednesday, 19 November 2008 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Political and Economic Developments

Question: Like the Secretary of State, I welcome the agreement made yesterday between the Democratic Unionist party and Sinn Fein to reinstitute the Executive. It is great that the solution has come from the parties that created the problem in the first place. Notwithstanding that, I hope he agrees that it is most important to the economic welfare of Northern Ireland, which is the kernel of this question, that they quickly work through the business of five months’ government. He has already said that he, the Chancellor and the Prime Minister will do all they can to help the economy, but will he say what additional funding—in particular, for policing—they hope to provide? Also, will he indicate the timetable for the implementation of the agreement made yesterday?

Answer: I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s help and support, especially through the challenges of the past few months. On his questions regarding funding and the issues facing the Northern Ireland Executive, as I have already said, the Executive will now start to meet again, starting on Thursday. They used to meet fortnightly, but I understand from the First Minister that they will now meet weekly until all the backlog of business has been cleared. I look forward to learning more tomorrow, when the Executive meet, but I understand that there is a number of matters on the timetable other than devolution of policing and justice that will be covered. On the hon. Gentleman’s question about funding for policing, my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have been working extremely closely with me during the past few months to ensure that devolution is allowed to succeed in Northern Ireland, not only in policing and justice, but in every area, to ensure peace and prosperity for every community.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 483 c223-4
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Devolution Northern Ireland Administration of justice Politics and government
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk