Proceeding contribution from Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 21 November 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill.

Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill

I stress that I do not condemn the Government’s approach to the deadlines. I can see exactly why this has happened. The important point that has emerged from tonight’s debate is one that any analyst could have seen coming. I refer to the clash between a deadline-led and a condition-led process. Does the Secretary of State accept that all we have been given tonight is an explicit outline of the challenge, which is to come to terms with the conditions required by the DUP for progress at the same time as coming to terms with the deadlines that the Government understandably want to fulfil? If that is the case, does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the real challenge between now and the beginning of March is to find a way of squaring the circle?

Secondary information

Type: Proceeding contribution
Reference: 453 c501
Session: 2006-07
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Codes of practice Accountability Administration of justice Conduct Devolution Elections Languages Ministerial powers Northern Ireland Police Northern Ireland Assembly Political parties Ministers Northern Ireland government Police Service of Northern Ireland Schools School choice Secondary education Sinn Féin Democratic Unionist Party St Andrews Agreement District policing partnerships
Legislation: Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill 2006-07
Link: View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk

Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill

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