Speeches by Eastwood.

“It does, and probably what comes across strongly from today, for anybody watching, is that there was absolutely no conversation prior to this. It was a terrible bolt out of the blue. What is refreshing for people who do not necessarily understand just how important this is, not just in economic and social terms, is tha…”

“That leads on to the next point, which is about the data and how important it is to evidence. Peter, you have already worked up and gone through a number of very detailed scenarios. William, you alluded to the fact there that DAERA has, in fact, now published some figures, which have, I feel, brought us on in a way. I …”

“I really appreciate the hon. Member bringing this matter to the House today. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure that we do everything we can to stand up for human rights, whether at home or abroad. The need to stand up for democracy, not only in the world in which we live physically but online, is also a real conce…”

“It is great to have you here today. We have been waiting for this session, because it is so important. You talked about the rally that was held in my constituency, in Lagan Valley, and our small family farm is literally just across the ditch from there. Peter, what you said about the emotion and the attachment to land …”

“The discussion we are having—and I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater) for the way that she has conducted it—almost implies that palliative care is of the same excellent standard across the UK. I have to inform the House that it is not, which is a matter of deep regret. I cannot stand by the…”

“Great, let’s do it.”

“Sorry, you are baiting me into this. I have thought this through. In the King’s Speech, I heard “GB Energy” and in my head I thought, “We have a perfectly viable regional site”. It just so happens to be in Lagan Valley. It is actually the Maze Long Kesh site. I did press, off the back of that King’s Speech, and I said,…”

“Thank you for that response. Just before I hand over to others, there is a real risk, particularly in the online space, for children, and that really concerns me. I do, as we all do, a lot of work with school groups, community groups and the likes of Girlguiding, and the amount of comments that I have received either a…”

“Minister, you mentioned the issue of violence against women and girls in your opening remarks. That is something that is personal to me in terms of my lived experience, but also to my constituents in Lagan Valley. Twenty-four women have been killed in the last number of years and that includes one of my constituents. S…”

“I appreciate that. Just to close this out on one last point, we had a conversation about financial stability at the start of this. Collapse costs. It costs in monetary terms. It costs in economic opportunities lost. It costs in terms of people’s lives. I do not mean to put words in your mouth. Stop me if I am wrong; I …”

“Thank you, Secretary of State. It is lovely to see you in this setting. Minister, it was brilliant to have you in Lagan Valley last week. It would be completely remiss of the Alliance MP not to mention reform, considering that has been a key pillar of our policy and our party for a long time. I am only a new MP. I was …”

“I apologise, Madam Deputy Speaker; I was in Committee at the start of the debate, but I did have my name down to speak. Some of my constituents were impacted by the scandal, and it has taken them this long to summon the courage to come forward. Obviously, I represent them and Northern Ireland. We have talked about the …”

“Northern Ireland is considered one of the most dangerous places in Europe to be a woman—24 women have been killed in the last four years—but one of the most dangerous places for women and girls is online. I pay tribute to Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid, which is tireless in its advocacy of women. What are the Governme…”

“Northern Ireland is considered one of the most dangerous places in Europe to be a woman—24 women have been killed in the last four years—but one of the most dangerous places for women and girls is online. I pay tribute to Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid, which is tireless in its advocacy of women. What are the Governme…”

“I am extremely disappointed by the lack of creativity in this Government. I agree entirely with the hon. Lady that there is a legacy of unfunded promises, but it is not for my constituents in Lagan Valley to bear the burden. Does she agree that they do not have broad shoulders?”

“I congratulate everyone who has made their maiden speech today, and I have to speak from the heart and say that it was incredibly moving to hear the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Julia Buckley) talk about her friend Jo Cox, who was a former colleague of so many in this House. Jo’s philosophy, that we have more in common …”

“I appreciate the hon. Member bringing this matter to the House. We can see clearly from the cross-party representation in the Chamber that it matters to everybody. Many in those roles are actually young people. Whenever we are talking about employment rights and workers’ rights, it is important that we remember young p…”

“3. Whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a revised financial formula for Northern Ireland.”

“I really appreciate the hon. Member’s remarks. Indeed, I am thinking about young children, possibly with a SEND diagnosis, who struggle post 19. One of the things I have learned from the Northern Ireland Assembly, where I sat, is that a much more holistic model, which combines health and education, helps young people p…”

“I welcome the Secretary of State to his place, and look forward to working with him in his new role. Fixing Northern Ireland’s financial framework is crucial to ensuring that our public services are properly resourced, and indeed that impacts on my constituents in Lagan Valley. Will he ensure that any new arrangements …”