To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018, signed into law by the President of the Republic of Ireland on 25 December 2018 and which came into force on 4 March 2019; and what plans they have, if any, to ensure...

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018, signed into law by the President of the Republic of Ireland on 25 December 2018 and which came into force on 4 March 2019; and what plans they have, if any, to ensure...

As the noble Baroness knows, these issues were raised in the other place. We have given considerable thought to the views expressed by the Liberal Democrat spokesman in the other place. On the basis that if the amendments were not pressed we would give them some serious consideration, and we...

As the noble Baroness knows, these issues were raised in the other place. We have given considerable thought to the views expressed by the Liberal Democrat spokesman in the other place. On the basis that if the amendments were not pressed we would give them some serious consideration, and we...

My name is added to this amendment. The noble Lord, Lord Smith of Clifton, and I colluded seriously, including in our collusions the Clerk of the Parliaments, to ensure that we got the technical end of the amendment right—or three-quarters right. I have believed for a long time, as I have said on different...

My name is added to this amendment. The noble Lord, Lord Smith of Clifton, and I colluded seriously, including in our collusions the Clerk of the Parliaments, to ensure that we got the technical end of the amendment right—or three-quarters right. I have believed for a long time, as I have said on different...

The amendments are acceptable to the Government but they are not necessary for the Bill. The Sustainable Development Strategy was launched on 9 May. It is a day that I remember well because the Secretary of State did the launch at the Odyssey in Belfast. I flew in to wind up the launch,...

The amendments are acceptable to the Government but they are not necessary for the Bill. The Sustainable Development Strategy was launched on 9 May. It is a day that I remember well because the Secretary of State did the launch at the Odyssey in Belfast. I flew in to wind up the launch,...

moved Amendment No. 29:"Page 17, line 45, after ““development”” insert ““and the implementation of fair trade””" The noble Lord said: I shall also speak to Amendments No. 30 and 31, which stand in my name. These are gentle, non-controversial amendments. I do not propose to speak for too long because I rehearsed the arguments for fair trade on Second Reading....

moved Amendment No. 29:"Page 17, line 45, after ““development”” insert ““and the implementation of fair trade””" The noble Lord said: I shall also speak to Amendments No. 30 and 31, which stand in my name. These are gentle, non-controversial amendments. I do not propose to speak for too long because I rehearsed the arguments for fair trade on Second Reading....

I am grateful to the noble Lord for raising the issue, as I can put briefly on the record the Government’s position. The Northern Ireland Act 2006 sets out clearly the Government’s position on the next Assembly election. We recognise that it would be futile to have an election to an Assembly that refused to...

I am grateful to the noble Lord for raising the issue, as I can put briefly on the record the Government’s position. The Northern Ireland Act 2006 sets out clearly the Government’s position on the next Assembly election. We recognise that it would be futile to have an election to an Assembly that refused to...

If the chief electoral officer, who has the ultimate responsibility for electoral law and the canvass in Northern Ireland, requests a canvass before or during 2010, the Minister seems to be indicating that the Secretary of State can maintain that it is not in the public interest to do so. Under...

If the chief electoral officer, who has the ultimate responsibility for electoral law and the canvass in Northern Ireland, requests a canvass before or during 2010, the Minister seems to be indicating that the Secretary of State can maintain that it is not in the public interest to do so. Under...

We will discuss that matter under a later amendment. It would be up to the chief electoral officer. If the chief electoral officer says, ““Hang on a minute. We’ve found some things we didn’t expect””, he or she would be in a position to make representations to the Secretary of...

We will discuss that matter under a later amendment. It would be up to the chief electoral officer. If the chief electoral officer says, ““Hang on a minute. We’ve found some things we didn’t expect””, he or she would be in a position to make representations to the Secretary of...

moved Amendment No. 12:"Page 7, line 28, after ““State”” insert ““and shall hold office during good behaviour, subject to removal therefrom on an address by both Houses of Parliament””" The noble Lord said: This amendment will bring the appointment and role of the chief electoral officer into line with equivalent appointments elsewhere. The...

moved Amendment No. 12:"Page 7, line 28, after ““State”” insert ““and shall hold office during good behaviour, subject to removal therefrom on an address by both Houses of Parliament””" The noble Lord said: This amendment will bring the appointment and role of the chief electoral officer into line with equivalent appointments elsewhere. The...

moved Amendment No. 13:"Page 7, line 28, after ““by”” insert ““Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of””" The noble Lord said: I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 14 to 17, which are in my name. These are largely probing amendments to explore the nature of the role of the chief electoral officer and his independence from...

moved Amendment No. 13:"Page 7, line 28, after ““by”” insert ““Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of””" The noble Lord said: I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 14 to 17, which are in my name. These are largely probing amendments to explore the nature of the role of the chief electoral officer and his independence from...

I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 14 to 17 not moved.] Clause 8 agreed to. Clauses 9 and 10 agreed to. Clause 11 [Part 4 of the 2000 Act: the final disapplication period]:

I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 14 to 17 not moved.] Clause 8 agreed to. Clauses 9 and 10 agreed to. Clause 11 [Part 4 of the 2000 Act: the final disapplication period]:

I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 20 not moved.] Clause 12 agreed to. Clause 13 agreed to. Clause 14 [Modifications during prescribed period]: [Amendments Nos. 21 and 22 not moved.] Clause 14 agreed to. Schedule 1 agreed to. Clauses 15 and 16 agreed to.

I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 20 not moved.] Clause 12 agreed to. Clause 13 agreed to. Clause 14 [Modifications during prescribed period]: [Amendments Nos. 21 and 22 not moved.] Clause 14 agreed to. Schedule 1 agreed to. Clauses 15 and 16 agreed to.

I rise briefly to support the case made by the noble Lord, Lord Glentoran. From a unionist perspective, this is the most iniquitous piece of legislation in so far as it allows basically anyone anywhere in the world to contribute financially to support a Northern Ireland political party. It enables Irish citizens...

I rise briefly to support the case made by the noble Lord, Lord Glentoran. From a unionist perspective, this is the most iniquitous piece of legislation in so far as it allows basically anyone anywhere in the world to contribute financially to support a Northern Ireland political party. It enables Irish citizens...

moved Amendment No. 1:"Page 1, line 5, leave out subsection (1)." The noble Lord said: First, may I apologise on behalf of the noble Lord, Lord Trimble, for his absence today. Since tabling the amendments, some other business has arisen which necessitates that he cannot be here. However, I shall be moving the amendments standing in his...

moved Amendment No. 1:"Page 1, line 5, leave out subsection (1)." The noble Lord said: First, may I apologise on behalf of the noble Lord, Lord Trimble, for his absence today. Since tabling the amendments, some other business has arisen which necessitates that he cannot be here. However, I shall be moving the amendments standing in his...

moved Amendment No. 18:"Page 9, line 7, leave out ““2007”” and insert ““2006””" The noble Lord said: This amendment is intended to regularise the situation on political donations more quickly in Northern Ireland than has heretofore been the case. Although the matter is being progressed, as it is the Government’s intention that...

moved Amendment No. 18:"Page 9, line 7, leave out ““2007”” and insert ““2006””" The noble Lord said: This amendment is intended to regularise the situation on political donations more quickly in Northern Ireland than has heretofore been the case. Although the matter is being progressed, as it is the Government’s intention that...

moved Amendment No. 19:"Page 10, leave out lines 18 to 35." The noble Lord said: This amendment is of a piece with the previous amendment. We are concerned about the extension of permissible donors to citizens of the Irish Republic, not as an issue of principle but of practicality. In 2000, when the Political Parties, Elections and...

moved Amendment No. 19:"Page 10, leave out lines 18 to 35." The noble Lord said: This amendment is of a piece with the previous amendment. We are concerned about the extension of permissible donors to citizens of the Irish Republic, not as an issue of principle but of practicality. In 2000, when the Political Parties, Elections and...

I rise to speak to the amendments standing in my name and to support the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Smith. I am afraid that some of what I am about to say will be a repetition of what the noble Lord, Lord Smith, has said. I have a great deal of sympathy with the...

I rise to speak to the amendments standing in my name and to support the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Smith. I am afraid that some of what I am about to say will be a repetition of what the noble Lord, Lord Smith, has said. I have a great deal of sympathy with the...

moved Amendment No. 23:"After Clause 16, insert the following new clause—" ““PLEDGE TO UPHOLD RULE OF LAW In section 18 of the 1998 Act (Northern Ireland Ministers) after subsection (8) insert— ““(8A) A Northern Ireland Minister shall not take up office until he has made a declaration before the Assembly pledging to uphold the rule of...

moved Amendment No. 23:"After Clause 16, insert the following new clause—" ““PLEDGE TO UPHOLD RULE OF LAW In section 18 of the 1998 Act (Northern Ireland Ministers) after subsection (8) insert— ““(8A) A Northern Ireland Minister shall not take up office until he has made a declaration before the Assembly pledging to uphold the rule of...

I speak to the Question whether Clauses 12 and 13 should stand part. This legislation is extraordinarily difficult for the layman to understand, partly because it refers to at least two previous Acts and partly because the Explanatory Memorandum does not make it that much easier. Perhaps I may ask a few questions. Am I right in...

I speak to the Question whether Clauses 12 and 13 should stand part. This legislation is extraordinarily difficult for the layman to understand, partly because it refers to at least two previous Acts and partly because the Explanatory Memorandum does not make it that much easier. Perhaps I may ask a few questions. Am I right in...