Written questions by Campbell.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62540 on Journalism: Northern Ireland, if he will hold discussions with the Justice Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive on the number and proportion of cases that resulted in files being forwarded to the Prosecution Service for consideration.

Responsibility for policing and justice in Northern Ireland, excluding national security matters, was devolved in 2010. Nevertheless, I hold regular meetings with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice to discuss areas of mutual interest and concern. The UK Government is committed to media freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists, and to bringing to justice those responsible for crimes against journalists.

If he will hold discussions with the First Minister of Northern Ireland on the potential impact of her attendance at IRA commemorative events on inter-community relationships in Northern Ireland.

I speak regularly with Northern Ireland’s Ministers and Party Leaders on a variety of issues. The attendance of Northern Ireland’s political representatives at commemorative events is a matter for the political parties to decide themselves.

How many reports of threats have been made to the internal Journalist Safety Group in Northern Ireland.

I commend the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on the progress they have made to address journalist safety in Northern Ireland. They have created an internal Journalist Safety Group and appointed two Journalist Safety Officers. Since 2022, the PSNI Journalist Safety Group has recorded 46 occasions where a journalist has brought a concern to PSNI. A free, independent media is a cornerstone of our democracy. It is vital that journalists are able to continue their work without the fear of attack or threat. The National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists sets out the approach to increase the safety of journalists.

If he will meet with the Federation of Small Businesses Northern Ireland to discuss its report entitled, Windsor Framework Realities: Barriers to Trade in the UK Internal Market, published on 24 June 2025.

I discussed the findings of the report at the recent East West Council which was attended by members of Intertrade UK. There is a wide range of support available for businesses using the schemes under the Windsor Framework. The Government remains committed to realising its benefits alongside protecting the UK internal market. As we do so, we will continue to work closely with Northern Ireland businesses and representative organisations like the Federation of Small Businesses.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 59713 on Foreign Investment in UK: Northern Ireland, on what date he discussed filling the role of US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland with the US Administration and Congress.

Economic growth is the number one priority of the Government. That is why we are working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to create a thriving, competitive and regionally balanced economy in Northern Ireland through increased investment, job creation, and higher living standards. I had a range of meetings during my visit to Washington in March, but the role of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland was not raised with me. There has not been such a position in every US Administration, and is a matter for which the US Administration is responsible.

What steps he is taking with the (a) Northern Ireland Executive and (b) Royal Portrush Golf Club to help create a lasting (i) sporting and (ii) economic legacy following the Open Golf Championship in July 2025.

Royal Portrush will stage the 153rd Open Golf Championship next month, providing another outstanding showcase for golf in Northern Ireland. The 148th Open, held at Royal Portrush nine years ago, became the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, delivering a combined economic and media benefit of more than £100 million to the region. I visited Royal Portrush Golf Club in April which was an excellent opportunity to learn more about their preparations which are well underway. I would encourage the Right Honourable Member to share any suggestions he has to help create a lasting sporting and economic legacy from the Open with the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and the Department for Business and Trade. Economic growth is the number one priority of the Government. That is why we are working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to create a thriving, competitive and regionally balanced economy in Northern Ireland through increased investment, job creation, and higher living standards.

Whether he has taken steps to help support (a) businesses and (b) consumers in Northern Ireland to order from suppliers based in Great Britain in the period since the signing of the trade agreement with the EU on 19 May 2025.

The Government’s renewed partnership with the EU will deliver a broader range of benefits for people and businesses across the UK, including the SPS Agreement which, once implemented, will help facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood and plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, reduce costs for businesses and improve consumer choice. These new arrangements will now be developed into a legal text over the coming months. The Government also remains committed to implementing the Windsor Framework and to protecting the UK internal market. The Framework guarantees unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the UK market and also supports traders to do business. Many are taking advantage of the support provided by the Trader Support Service. On 1 May 2025, the Government introduced important new arrangements for freight and parcels movements to ensure that goods can continue to move smoothly from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The new arrangements ensure that goods sent to or from consumers will not be subject to customs declarations or duty. We have also introduced a range of schemes to support businesses by removing unnecessary checks and paperwork; over 10,000 businesses are already signed up to the UK Internal Market Scheme.

If he will hold discussions with InterTrade UK on the potential impact of the trade agreement with the EU on internal trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Government's new strategic partnership with the EU will deliver greater prosperity and security for Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole. In particular, the new SPS Agreement with the EU will facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood and plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, protecting the UK’s internal market, reducing costs for businesses and improving consumer choice. Intertrade UK is focused on promoting all internal UK trade including work to support businesses across the UK realise the full benefits of the new SPS Agreement.

Whether he plans to amend the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements system for dealing with people who have been convicted of terror-related offences after their release from prison.

The Multi Agency Review Arrangements (MARA) are a devolved matter, led and co-ordinated by the Department of Justice. MARA makes provision for classification of and risk management of Terrorist Risk Offenders following their release from prison. Any changes to MARA would be a matter for the Department of Justice. Individuals released under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 are not managed under MARA, unless they are subject to other sentences which bring them within the MARA arrangements. I am not planning any changes to the arrangements under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998.

How many meetings of Intertrade UK he plans to attend in 2025.

Intertrade UK will serve as a non-statutory advisory body that supports the East-West Council (EWC) in promoting all internal UK trade. We will be providing further details on the membership of the group and how the work of the group will be taken forward in due course.

What steps he is taking with (a) the Northern Ireland Executive and (b) Invest NI to help promote Northern Ireland as an inward investment opportunity during the forthcoming Open Golf Championship at Royal Portrush.

Royal Portrush will stage the 153rd Open Golf Championship in 2025, providing another outstanding showcase for golf in Northern Ireland. The 148th Open, held at Royal Portrush nine years ago, became the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, delivering a combined economic and media benefit of more than £100 million to the region. I have asked my officials to contact Invest NI to discuss this. I would also encourage the Honourable Member to share any suggestions he has to enhance any existing investment promotion with the Department for Business and Trade. The Growth mission is the number one priority of the Government. That is why we are working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to create a thriving, competitive and regionally balanced economy in Northern Ireland through increased investment, job creation, and higher living standards.

What recent discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the cost of developing Casement Park.

Regrettably, given the amount of time wasted by the previous Government, Casement Park could not be built in time for the Euros. The risks of not completing it on time were unacceptably high. While the redevelopment of Casement Park is a devolved policy matter, we are continuing to engage with all partners involved in the project, including the Northern Ireland Executive and the GAA, and assessing the options available.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the work of Intertrade UK is not affected by trade barriers faced by some GB-based businesses supplying to Northern Ireland-based consumers.

A key focus for Intertrade UK will be to promote the full extent of the UK’s market to businesses and traders and to help to counter any misconceptions businesses and traders in Great Britain may have about providing goods and services in Northern Ireland. I expect to be in a position to announce the full membership of Intertrade UK and the date of the first meeting shortly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2024 to Question 12917 on InterTrade UK, when he plans to announce the (a) remaining membership appointees and (b) first and subsequent meetings of InterTrade UK.

Preparatory work necessary to establish Intertrade UK is ongoing. I expect to be in a position to announce the membership of the body and the date of the first meeting at the earliest opportunity in the New Year.

When he expects the independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the murder of Patrick Finucane to begin sitting.

The Inquiries Act 2005 sets out clear steps to follow in setting up an inquiry, including the appointment of the Chair, agreement on the Terms of Reference, working through the necessary logistics such as facilities and services procurement, and setting up the Inquiry secretariat. I am keen that the Inquiry is able to begin its work without undue delay.

What recent estimate he has made of when the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner will be appointed.

The Government recognises the dedicated service of all our veterans and is committed to supporting the veteran community across the whole of the UK.I have previously made clear my intention to confirm the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner before the end of the year and expect to make an announcement shortly.

When the first meeting of InterTrade UK will take place.

I confirmed the appointment of Baroness Foster as the chair of Intertrade UK on 19 September and work is continuing to appoint the remaining members of the body. We will announce these appointments and further details - including the timing of the first and subsequent meetings - in due course.

What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Economy Minister on using Northern Ireland's ultra fast broadband capability to expand the business sector.

Northern Ireland is leading the way for gigabit-capable broadband across the UK with over 90% coverage, made possible by substantial UK Government funding.Digital connectivity is vital for stimulating economic growth, which is why the Chancellor has announced that the Government will be investing over £500 million in 2025-26 to drive the rollout of digital infrastructure across the UK, including in Northern Ireland.

When his Department last reviewed the (a) structures, (b) weaponry and (c) capability of (i) loyalist and (ii) republican terror groups in Northern Ireland; and if he will publish that review.

The ‘Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland’ report was published in 2015 by the UK Government in order to provide a one-off factual assessment from the UK security agencies and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on the structure, role and purpose of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland. This public assessment, which was intended to inform the then ongoing cross-party talks, has not been repeated. The PSNI and UK security agencies continually assess the threat, risk and harm posed by paramilitary, terrorist and organised crime groups to inform the most appropriate operational response. The threat from Northern Ireland Related Terrorism (NIRT) is assessed by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), after MI5 passed over responsibility earlier this year. JTAC keeps the Threat Level in Northern Ireland from NIRT under constant review and formally reviews it twice a year. However, the threat is wholly driven by violent Dissident Republicans who reject the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), and not by Groups that support the GFA. The Chief Constable’s statement of 30 October was clear that the PSNI, alongside security partners “continually assess the threat, risk and harm posed by paramilitary, terrorist and organised crime groups to inform the most appropriate operational response.” Rightly, any criminality or threat - by individuals or groups, loyalist or republican - will be investigated by the PSNI and those responsible will be brought before the courts.

What plans he has for the (a) establishment and (b) work of the Castlereagh Foundation.

The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 contains provisions for the Establishment of the Castlereagh Foundation. The Executive Office is responsible for taking forward the necessary arrangements to implement the commenced provisions under this Act. The Government expects the Executive Office will make an announcement in due course regarding next steps on implementation of the legislation. The Government wants to see devolved institutions in Northern Ireland consider the provisions set out under the legislation themselves before any consideration of using or commencing the powers provided for in section 8 of the Act.