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Proceeding contribution from Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 27 April 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill on Northern Ireland Bill.


Northern Ireland Bill

My right hon. Friend is exactly right. In fact, in the example of the Jubilee hospital, which is in south Belfast, it was politically expedient for the then Minister, Barbara Brown—Sinn Fein-IRA—to make a proposal for west Belfast, for Gerry’s seat. Therefore, they did not care about the health of the people or about the will of the people. In fact, on that occasion, a previous Member for Belfast, West—Dr. Joe Hendron—was the chairman of the health committee. He and other Members of the SDLP disagreed with that decision simply on health grounds, and it was referred twice to the court. The Minister was ordered by the court to revisit her decision, but she still went on with it, irrespective of that. We have got to be very careful. The Belfast agreement, as it stands, was rejected by the majority of the people of Northern Ireland. We have got to accept that that is the will of the people and that should be taken into account. If the hon. Member for Foyle is asking the Secretary of State to take account of the will of the people in activating decisions, he ought to take account of it, as well.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
445 c768 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Devolved matters Crimes of violence Decommissioning Devolution Elections IRA Functions Ministerial powers Northern Ireland Powers Public appointments Northern Ireland Assembly Members Political parties Politics and government Ministers Northern Ireland government Northern Ireland Executive Terrorism Water charges Timetables Standing orders First Minister (NIE) Assembly Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker
Legislation
Northern Ireland Bill 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk