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Northern Ireland

My Lords, I assume that my noble friend is referring to the staff of the Assembly, not the staff of Assembly Members. I do not know the figures off the top of my head, but many members of staff at the Assembly are working within the government service of Northern Ireland. It is not as though they are sitting in Stormont twiddling their fingers—they are all doing useful jobs. I occasionally come across people in various of the departments for which we, as direct rule Ministers, are responsible, who indicate that their full-time job is at the Assembly if and when it is up and running. That issue will be dealt with and I do not think there need be any fear regarding the staff of the Assembly.