Written question asked by Robert McCartney (United Kingdom Unionist) on Tuesday, 12 May 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 24 July 1998. It was answered by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) on Friday, 24 July 1998 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans she has to make ministers in the proposed Northern Ireland Assembly subject to the Official Secrets Act 1989 on taking office; and to comment about the security implications of Ministers from paramilitary-connected parties taking government office. - (Holding answer 18 May 1998).

Answer: Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to make ministers in the proposed Northern Ireland Assembly subject to the Official Secrets Act 1989 on taking office; and if she will make a statement about the security implications of Ministers from paramilitary-connected parties taking Government office. [42164] Mr. Paul Murphy: [holding answer 18 May 1998]: Paragraph 5 (3) in Schedule 13 of the Northern Ireland Bill, which is currently before Parliament, makes provision for the Official Secrets Act 1989 to apply to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland and to Northern Ireland Ministers. We are considering whether any further provisions are necessary to protect national security interests in the context of devolution.

Secondary information