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Proceeding contribution from Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour) in the House of Lords on Monday, 16 October 2006. It occurred during Ministerial statement on Northern Ireland.


Northern Ireland

My Lords, like everyone else who has spoken, I think the people who made this proposal for an agreement are to be congratulated from all sides. I have three questions for the Minister. This is about devolution and not independence. Is there any indication from Sinn Fein that when we have a devolved Assembly—if we have it—it will come to Parliament to represent its constituents and make the proper Oath of Allegiance so that it can serve its constituents not only in the devolved Assembly but in this Parliament? Secondly, I have a question on Annexe B, which says: "““We will establish a forum on a Bill of Rights and convene its inaugural meeting in December 2006””." Why does a devolved Northern Ireland need a separate Bill of Rights? We already have a Bill of Rights that applies to the whole of the United Kingdom. I would like to hear the Minister’s comments on why there is a proposal for Northern Ireland to have a separate Bill of Rights when it will still be part of the United Kingdom. Finally, will the Minister explain the sentence on page 5 of the Statement: "““Power will be devolved and d’Hondt will be run””?" Could we know what d’Hondt is? I think I probably do know, but not everyone does, and it would be nice to have it in Hansard.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
685 c578-9 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Accountability Administration of justice Devolution Intelligence services Northern Ireland Police Northern Ireland Assembly Proscribed organisations Public participation Northern Ireland government MI5 Northern Ireland Executive Police Service of Northern Ireland Terrorism St Andrews Agreement
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk