Speeches by Benn.

“As it so happens, the Veterinary Medicines Working Group is meeting again on Thursday, I think, this week. What is the process that we are engaged in? It is to understand what are, when all other steps have been taken, the medicines that otherwise will not be available, because there has—well, there has not been an arg…”

“We do, yes.”

“Yes. As you will know, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds, is the co-chair of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee. His opposite number is Maroš Šefčovič, but I work extremely closely with him on a pretty regular basis. Indeed, the two of us have met you to talk about the Windsor framework. We…”

“The European Union has to decide a mandate for any such negotiations. The difference between this Government and the last is that the last Government said, “The deal we have is perfect. It does not need to be improved upon”. We have arrived and said, “We can do better than this”. Given the challenges in respect of the …”

“Thank you very much, Chair and members of the Committee. Can I begin by saying how much Fleur and I, and indeed all the team at the NIO, are looking forward to working with you? Thanks very much for inviting us to appear before you today. As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I have three main priorities. The fir…”

“There is a balance to be struck here. On the one hand, there is very considerable, as you will know, devolution to the Executive and the Assembly. On the other hand, the UK has, and particularly the new Government have, a great interest in ensuring that the missions are met throughout the UK. As I have reflected on pre…”

“There is one other thing I would add on public service transformation. Part of the deal that the previous Government did when the institutions were restored was to set aside £235 million, as you will be aware, for public services transformation. In talking to the First and Deputy First Minister and other Ministers, the…”

“The honest answer would be that it is a work in progress, really. I am very keen to build good relationships with all of the people I have the privilege of working with. There have been one or two bumps along the way. The city deals were definitely a bump, but I have to say that we all felt joy when I went to co-sign t…”

“I met the Ulster Farmers’ Union this morning, because it is over for the protest today, and I also had a brief conversation with a number of young farmers after a Westminster Hall debate that I did a little bit earlier. I completely understand the concern that has been expressed, because this is a big change. We have h…”

“Your first question is discussions with—”

“I have had a conversation with the Environment Secretary. I have not had a discussion with any Treasury Ministers thus far, just to answer that question. Apologies. In terms of the assessment, I am not aware that there is a Northern Ireland-specific assessment that has been undertaken. That may be something to do with …”

“To answer your question directly, Mr Robinson, my role is to be both. I of course am an advocate for Northern Ireland in the Government. That is my job and you would expect it. I am also a Cabinet Minister who upholds collective Cabinet responsibility, as everyone round the table will recognise. As and when more inform…”

“This is a very important process. I welcome the interim fiscal framework, which the last Government negotiated with the Northern Ireland Executive, and the package involved in the restoration. I referred earlier to the additional funding we have made available through the Budget. The Finance Minister, Caoimhe Archibald…”

“The credible source at the moment is the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council. That is why it was established. It was asked to do the job and it came up with the 124% figure. People may argue, “That is not enough. Can we have more?” In my time in Government, I have never encountered anyone who said, “Thank you very much. Yo…”

“I have received a letter this morning from Matthew O’Toole, drawing my attention to the motion that was passed. There are going to have to be terms of reference for the work of the independent review. I raised an eyebrow when I saw the reference to representation for Northern Ireland in the European Parliament.”

“I am going to turn to Fleur, because Fleur has been doing a lot of work on the health service.”

“Of course, we would like to get people to come forward and provide information that they have not done in the past, but there was such a serious objection to the immunity contained in the Bill. That is why we have given the commitment to get rid of it and I am convinced that that is the right thing to do.”

“The only thing I would add, relating to the first part of the quote that you read out, is that the governance system in Northern Ireland is as it is and has been since the Good Friday agreement. Whoever is in Government in Northern Ireland has a responsibility to make sure that they take decisions that improve public s…”

“Since Julie sits on the board—”

“The short answer is as soon as possible, but it is quite a complex process. We came to Government with a commitment to repeal and replace. The legacy Act was widely criticised in Northern Ireland. It achieved something almost unique, which was to bring the parties in Northern Ireland together in opposition to what had …”