Speeches by Thomas-Symonds.

“Again, that is a very fair challenge. One of the things I have, again, tried to do is engage directly with business. To give a tangible example, I went to Belfast a couple of times last summer, when I first came into this job, and one thing that businesses in Northern Ireland raised with me was an issue about the parce…”

“I will come to that now, Sorcha; you are absolutely right to say that. They were good enough to meet me in opposition as well as in government, for which I was extremely grateful. When I went to Belfast last summer, I also met the co-chairs of the Democratic Scrutiny Committee. I have seen what Lord Murphy has said in …”

“I always think there are more opportunities to do so, Claire. I have been looking carefully at what businesses have been saying. Last month, Evri, the parcel delivery company, announced the opening of a new £1.3 million EU gateway depot, creating 650 jobs. Evri itself said that the facility would allow it to avail itse…”

“Let me just say this, because this is hugely important issue for Northern Ireland, and indeed the rest of the United Kingdom. At the moment, the European Union has launched a consultation and they are looking at the issue of world overcapacity in the steel industry. They are looking at things around the tariff rates an…”

“Again, I am not suggesting perfection, but the fact that the impact on Northern Ireland was identified very early is of course a positive thing. Nobody would suggest that it is not, and I think it is really important. All I would say in respect of steel is that it is a foundational industry for the whole of the United …”

“Let me just say this, because this is hugely important issue for Northern Ireland, and indeed the rest of the United Kingdom. At the moment, the European Union has launched a consultation and they are looking at the issue of world overcapacity in the steel industry. They are looking at things around the tariff rates an…”

“I always think there are more opportunities to do so, Claire. I have been looking carefully at what businesses have been saying. Last month, Evri, the parcel delivery company, announced the opening of a new £1.3 million EU gateway depot, creating 650 jobs. Evri itself said that the facility would allow it to avail itse…”

“I will come to that now, Sorcha; you are absolutely right to say that. They were good enough to meet me in opposition as well as in government, for which I was extremely grateful. When I went to Belfast last summer, I also met the co-chairs of the Democratic Scrutiny Committee. I have seen what Lord Murphy has said in …”

“Again, that is a very fair challenge. One of the things I have, again, tried to do is engage directly with business. To give a tangible example, I went to Belfast a couple of times last summer, when I first came into this job, and one thing that businesses in Northern Ireland raised with me was an issue about the parce…”

“That is a really good question and challenge. Not only do I lead the negotiations with the EU, but I chair the interministerial group with the devolved Administrations. While the Northern Ireland voice is obviously hugely important, those discussions are also about Scotland and Wales. So there is, Sorcha, a direct form…”

“Let me pick this up, because this is something where there are technical exchanges currently ongoing. You have the Artificial Intelligence Act and the Cyber Resilience Act. Both have been published. They have been notified at the moment; that is the situation under article 13(4), which is the process that Gavin was dis…”

“It is non-agricultural geographical indicators.”

“At the moment the level of confidence between the UK and the EU is very high. When I came into office, I promised a reset in the relationship. I have no doubt that has happened and you can see it, visibly, in the Prime Minister’s relations with European leaders, and in not just the work that I do but the work that is d…”

“I have only about seven minutes left. I will give way to both Members, but I will have to do so quickly.”

“I would certainly be interested in learning more about that specific case. If the hon. Gentleman wants to write to me about it, I will happily look into it.”

“Quite simply it is because, to secure further agreements, the United Kingdom has to show good faith with the agreements it has already signed. The Windsor framework had cross-party support. We voted for it in opposition, so we have to show good faith in implementing it. However, there will come a point when we can redu…”

“The four businesses I have just quoted evidently do not agree with the hon. and learned Gentleman. He and I both want to see an economically successful and prosperous Northern Ireland, and I have no doubt that dual market access will provide that. I am conscious of the time, but I repeat not just this Government’s comm…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, I think for the first time, Dr Allin-Khan. I congratulate the hon. and learned Member for North Antrim (Jim Allister) on securing this debate, and I thank the other Members for their interventions. He has also asked me questions in the main Chamber a number of times, a…”

“I will certainly be visiting Northern Ireland again. However, on the diversion of trade, that is precisely what the independent monitoring panel is currently looking at. The panel is looking at it for the earlier part of this year, and I expect it to report shortly. Of course, when the panel makes recommendations, wher…”

“First of all, I welcome scrutiny. One thing I have discovered in this role, given how multi-faceted it is, is the number of Select Committees, of both Houses, I find myself before. It is quite a range, I have to say, but it is a delight to join the Committee for this session. Whether it is parliamentary questions or st…”