---

Northern Ireland Bill

I have a great deal of sympathy with the words of the noble Baroness, but I am afraid that I do not think that the amendment to this Bill at this time will help procedures in the Northern Ireland Assembly when it reassembles. I would love to pass the buck today, as I am sure the Minister would, to the Northern Ireland politicians to make up their own minds and to run their own show. If, on 24 November, we are back to square one, I sincerely hope that the Government and, indeed, the opposition parties will be able to find a better, more efficient and more democratic way of managing the affairs of Northern Ireland.