Relations with Ireland

Dr Allison Gardner (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab) and Emily Darlington (Milton Keynes Central) (Lab) asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, about discussions with the Irish Government on UK-Ireland relations. In response, Hilary Benn stated that he and the Minister had met with the Tánaiste Micheál Martin in Hillsborough two weeks ago to discuss strengthening relations between the two governments, given the importance of the relationship with Ireland. He also noted that the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach had held a bilateral meeting ahead of the European Political Community meeting the previous week. Dr Gardner followed up, congratulating the Secretary of State on the commemorative china service produced by a company in her constituency, Duchess China, which exports to the Republic of Ireland and has a domestic market in Northern Ireland. She asked how relations across the Irish Sea and the Northern Ireland-Ireland border would be enhanced to benefit such companies. Hilary Benn responded by highlighting the government's commitment to protecting the integrity of the UK internal market, so that businesses in Great Britain and Northern Ireland can sell across the United Kingdom and internationally. He emphasized the extraordinary opportunities and potential in Northern Ireland, which he said the Executive could contribute to by ensuring stability, as that is what investors are looking for. Emily Darlington congratulated the Secretary of State on his position and expressed hope that he would be able to rebuild relations that were strained during the Brexit process. She noted that small and medium-sized businesses in her constituency, Milton Keynes Central, had gone under due to the additional paperwork and restrictions caused by the strained relations with the EU. She asked Hilary Benn to confirm that he was talking to the Irish Government and others about reducing these trade barriers. Hilary Benn acknowledged the additional costs and paperwork for businesses resulting from the change in the UK's trading relationship with the EU, whether they were selling to the EU or into Northern Ireland. He stated that the Windsor Framework was the means by which the government was trying to manage this, and that he had supported it as it represented an important and significant step forward. Simon Hoare (North Dorset) (Con) welcomed the Anglo-Irish agreement and the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, and asked the Secretary of State to use his good offices to ensure that the dialogue between the Taoiseach and Prime Minister continued to build on and further strengthen the relationship. Hilary Benn provided the assurance that the Prime Minister had agreed there would be an annual summit between the two leaders. Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP) asked the Secretary of State if he agreed that it was important, in discussions with the Irish Government, for them to understand that the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland, whether they consider themselves to be British, Irish or Northern Irish, can see that it is the United Kingdom context that allows them that diversity, and that improving the lives of present generations is the best way to preserve the lives of everyone for the future. Hilary Benn expressed his commitment, along with the government, to improving the lives of the people of Northern Ireland, stating that they would work on this with Mr Campbell and all his colleagues in Northern Ireland.