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Written question asked by Jeffrey M Donaldson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 21 January 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 January 2015 (named day). It was answered by Anna Soubry (Conservative) on Monday, 26 January 2015 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces Covenant Reference Group: Northern Ireland

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive about the appointment of a representative from Northern Ireland to the Armed Forces Covenant Reference Group.

Answer

Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials have recently held discussions with their opposite numbers in the Northern Ireland Executive. This resulted in the compilation of the most comprehensive record to date of Covenant achievements in Northern Ireland, highlighted in the Covenant Annual Report which I laid before Parliament on 16 December 2014. In addition, the Northern Ireland Executive has recently been invited, with the other Devolved Administrations, to attend a series of quarterly meetings in the MOD to consider specifically Covenant issues.

There is an open invitation to the Northern Ireland Executive to join the Covenant Reference Group although, as yet, this has not been accepted. In the debate on the Covenant in Northern Ireland on 22 October 2014 (Official report, column 1002) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr Andrew Murrison, reminded the House that the offer had been made and that the door was still open, and thoroughly recommended that the Northern Ireland Executive take a full and active part in the group.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
221491
Session
2014-15
Subjects
Northern Ireland Armed Forces Covenant Reference Group
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk