Speeches by Eastwood.

“I will try to get my words correct this time, Madam Deputy Speaker—the second time. I simply want to say, Minister, that I really do believe that we in Northern Ireland have a huge role to play—not just in Northern Ireland, but across the UK—for many, many reasons. Other Members have mentioned a number of things includ…”

“You mentioned the sector’s relevance and benefit to the whole of the United Kingdom. Would you agree that Northern Ireland has a rich manufacturing and life sciences heritage and that we have a huge role to play?”

“It sounds quite distressing, when you think about it, that we have not managed to move on. As the only MP present with Lough Neagh in my constituency, people are really upset and just sad about it all. There is a video on YouTube of a Northern Ireland YouTuber. It is not at Lough Neagh; it is at Belfast Lough. He is go…”

“How much wastewater has been pumped into Lough Neagh recently?”

“This is for NI Water. We have already had a brief discussion about the levels of phosphorus pollution in the lough. Figures from DAERA estimate that around 31% of the phosphorus content in the lough is from NI Water. What do you think is your level of pollution and wastewater discharge into the lough?”

“Thank you for making yourself available to the Committee today, Minister. It has been invaluable to have your contributions for the Committee to understand a wee bit more about what you are doing in your role. I find it a wee bit frustrating that we could not put the same questions to the Infrastructure Minister. That …”

“Thank you for making yourself available to the Committee today, Minister. It has been invaluable to have your contributions for the Committee to understand a wee bit more about what you are doing in your role. I find it a wee bit frustrating that we could not put the same questions to the Infrastructure Minister. That …”

“This is for NI Water. We have already had a brief discussion about the levels of phosphorus pollution in the lough. Figures from DAERA estimate that around 31% of the phosphorus content in the lough is from NI Water. What do you think is your level of pollution and wastewater discharge into the lough?”

“It sounds quite distressing, when you think about it, that we have not managed to move on. As the only MP present with Lough Neagh in my constituency, people are really upset and just sad about it all. There is a video on YouTube of a Northern Ireland YouTuber. It is not at Lough Neagh; it is at Belfast Lough. He is go…”

“How much wastewater has been pumped into Lough Neagh recently?”

“Minister, the statement makes reference to engaging with the Northern Ireland Executive. Can you tell me what discussions you have had with my colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive?”

“Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Can the Minister please tell me what discussions you have had with my colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive? You will be aware of the fact that the shared prosperity fund, which other Members have referenced, is not being replaced. The local growth situation is already jeopardisi…”

“The Secretary of State referred to this as unfinished business. In the last statement, we heard about the successes of the peace process in Northern Ireland. I was 12 years old when the Good Friday agreement was signed; I now stand here 40 years of age as the MP for Lagan Valley, and my constituents deserve truth and j…”

“I appreciate that. Thank you.”

“People are entitled to their own memory or whatever it may be, but we have to be open, up front and without fear or favour in stating that, no matter the circumstances. My fear is that this element of reconciliation, with terrorists coming forward, is giving them a charter to rewrite their role in the Troubles and give…”

“Secretary of State, do you intend to reinstate all inquests, or only those that were paused by the legacy Act? Do you see the merit in people wanting to seek fresh inquests?”

“I agree we do not have a shared memory, but it is incumbent on all of us to state that terrorism was always wrong.”

“Secretary of State, ICRIR gave its own evidence. It listed, among a number of bullet points, some of its key functions. It lists one of those as, “Objectively telling unvarnished truths about the past”. It is trying, in my opinion, to play a role of looking at reconciliation in its own way. For me and others, including…”

“Would it maybe be better to take it out of it, then, in its entirety?”

“One of the letters within ICRIR stands for “reconciliation”. Some might consider that a misnomer at best or egregious at worst. There have been an awful lot of criticisms of ICRIR’s ability to aid, promote and deliver reconciliation. What would be your response to those criticisms?”