Mr Speaker sir,Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill 2020
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
AN ACT to extend the period for forming an Executive under section 1(1) of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2019.
Key provisions:
-Extends the deadline for the formation of the Northern Ireland Executive until 21 March 2020;
-Empowers the Secretary of State for the Union to further extend the deadline for the formation of the Northern Ireland Executive until 13 June 2020
I rise to the dispatch box today in my first appearance as Secretary of State for the Union, in the interests of courtesy it would be remiss of me not to briefly make mention of the bold step taken by my Right Honourable the Prime Minister in creating this new brief - a new superdepartment for a new decade Mr Speaker. My task as I see it, is simple, to enshrine and nurture this most successful union of nations that remain the envy of the world over. I look forward to many exchanges with my counterparts on the Opposition benches, and indeed with my own side - especially those 12 Scottish Conservative and Unionist colleagues who have made such a forceful impact since their arrival in this place back in 2017.
Pleasantries having been observed, I will now move to more pressing matters; the House will of course be aware that the deadline for a resumption of the Northern Ireland Executive is fast looming, and after three years of gridlock there does not appear to be any chance of a breakthrough between the two largest parties in the Assembly. It is my intention to fly to Belfast and hold urgent and intense talks with both the DUP and Sinn Fein at the earliest possible opportunity alongside my counterpart in the Irish Government.
Mr Speaker, Her Majesty's Government takes a clear view that whilst there is still some chance of a negotiated settlement, of devolved Government being restored - it would be deeply irresponsible not to make provision for those talks to still continue. As is stands, I will be required by law as Secretary of State to order new elections in a matter of weeks should there be no deal struck - an act of unpardonable irresponsibility whilst so many pressing issues remain unsolved, and indeed the core dividing lines which have led to the last three years of indecision continue to go without resolution.
Therefore, with time being of the essence, I am asking the House to pass fresh legislation to impose a new deadline for the formation of the NI Executive, to give both sides a chance to take stock and come to the negotiating table. And I am doing so with a determination that I shall do my part to work with all parties in Northern Ireland to end direct rule and put governance back in the hands of the devolved institutions.
Mr Speaker, I commend this bill to the House.
