My Lords, before the noble Baroness sits down, I think that she slightly misunderstood what I am attempting to do. Under my amendment, the Assembly would still have the power to set up the independent body. Therefore, it would have the power to make its own arrangements, but we are...

My Lords, before the noble Baroness sits down, I think that she slightly misunderstood what I am attempting to do. Under my amendment, the Assembly would still have the power to set up the independent body. Therefore, it would have the power to make its own arrangements, but we are...

My Lords, the Bill currently gives the Assembly discretion as to whether or not it should introduce independent control of salaries and allowances. This group of amendments would remove the Assembly’s discretion and force it to introduce independent control. Noble Lords will no doubt wish to note that the Speaker...

My Lords, the Bill currently gives the Assembly discretion as to whether or not it should introduce independent control of salaries and allowances. This group of amendments would remove the Assembly’s discretion and force it to introduce independent control. Noble Lords will no doubt wish to note that the Speaker...

1: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, leave out "may" and insert "must"

1: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, leave out "may" and insert "must"

My Lords, the Government have said, quite clearly, that they agree with the Kelly report. We agree that double-jobbing must end by 2015. What we are talking about is timing. We are trying to ensure that there is a consensus among the political parties in Northern Ireland, and we believe...

My Lords, the Government have said, quite clearly, that they agree with the Kelly report. We agree that double-jobbing must end by 2015. What we are talking about is timing. We are trying to ensure that there is a consensus among the political parties in Northern Ireland, and we believe...

I am grateful to the Minister for giving way. Perhaps I could suggest that there is an entirely different explanation for what has happened. I am sad to say that, through the actions of the Government, those parties that were supported until 1998, and which the population supported in a...

I am grateful to the Minister for giving way. Perhaps I could suggest that there is an entirely different explanation for what has happened. I am sad to say that, through the actions of the Government, those parties that were supported until 1998, and which the population supported in a...

My Lords, I have listened carefully to the points made by noble Lords. The issue of dual mandates is clearly extremely important. Noble Lords sitting in this Committee have a great deal of experience in relation to double-jobbing. The noble Lord, Lord Glentoran, referred to the Kelly report. It may...

My Lords, I have listened carefully to the points made by noble Lords. The issue of dual mandates is clearly extremely important. Noble Lords sitting in this Committee have a great deal of experience in relation to double-jobbing. The noble Lord, Lord Glentoran, referred to the Kelly report. It may...

My Lords, I support these two amendments. The previous speakers have already stated the perception in Northern Ireland that our elected people are simply in it for the money. One thing that I try to do with the young people with whom I work is to encourage them to become...

My Lords, I support these two amendments. The previous speakers have already stated the perception in Northern Ireland that our elected people are simply in it for the money. One thing that I try to do with the young people with whom I work is to encourage them to become...

Well, it is surprising what one has seen in one’s life. It is not the case that the Government are interested in protecting the DUP and Sinn Fein, which is what the noble Lord was saying, although not in so many words. The Government believe that on an issue as...

Well, it is surprising what one has seen in one’s life. It is not the case that the Government are interested in protecting the DUP and Sinn Fein, which is what the noble Lord was saying, although not in so many words. The Government believe that on an issue as...

My Lords, we support two of these amendments, as the noble Lord, Lord Glentoran, has said—and for the very reasons that he has articulated. Events of the last week have brought into particular focus and poignancy the problems associated with double-jobbing, and it can be in no one’s interest for...

My Lords, we support two of these amendments, as the noble Lord, Lord Glentoran, has said—and for the very reasons that he has articulated. Events of the last week have brought into particular focus and poignancy the problems associated with double-jobbing, and it can be in no one’s interest for...

My Lords, the three amendments in this group make good the Conservative pledge to do away with the practice in Northern Ireland known as double-jobbing. Amendment 3, on which Amendment 4 is consequential, refers to salaries and expenses. Amendment 9 refers to Members’ pensions. The issue of Members of the...

My Lords, the three amendments in this group make good the Conservative pledge to do away with the practice in Northern Ireland known as double-jobbing. Amendment 3, on which Amendment 4 is consequential, refers to salaries and expenses. Amendment 9 refers to Members’ pensions. The issue of Members of the...

3: Clause 1, page 1, line 17, leave out subsection (5) and insert— "( ) For subsection (4) substitute— "(4) Provision under subsection (2A) must ensure that if a salary or allowances are payable to a member of the Assembly as a member of Parliament or as a member of...

3: Clause 1, page 1, line 17, leave out subsection (5) and insert— "( ) For subsection (4) substitute— "(4) Provision under subsection (2A) must ensure that if a salary or allowances are payable to a member of the Assembly as a member of Parliament or as a member of...

There are two things. As I mentioned earlier, I have been listening to noble Lords and will reflect further and come back on Report, but I am not sure what is going to happen. However, I wish to defend my Secretary of State against the allegation that he has not...

There are two things. As I mentioned earlier, I have been listening to noble Lords and will reflect further and come back on Report, but I am not sure what is going to happen. However, I wish to defend my Secretary of State against the allegation that he has not...

My Lords, I am sorry that we cannot wholeheartedly support this set of amendments. We have not put our name to them because, as the noble Lord said, Amendments 1 and 2 would remove the ability of the Assembly to determine the Members’ salaries and allowances, and we feel that...

My Lords, I am sorry that we cannot wholeheartedly support this set of amendments. We have not put our name to them because, as the noble Lord said, Amendments 1 and 2 would remove the ability of the Assembly to determine the Members’ salaries and allowances, and we feel that...

My Lords, I hear the strength of feeling expressed by the noble Lord and understand what he says. However, this is not about cabals. We are talking about a timescale, as I explained earlier. There is a 2015 deadline and a 2011 deadline. However, I have not finished what I...

My Lords, I hear the strength of feeling expressed by the noble Lord and understand what he says. However, this is not about cabals. We are talking about a timescale, as I explained earlier. There is a 2015 deadline and a 2011 deadline. However, I have not finished what I...

My Lords, I support these amendments from an additional point of view, which is that in Northern Ireland we have had a great deal of trouble, perhaps over the last 30 years, with encouraging new blood into the political system. Even today, it is very difficult in certain respects to...

My Lords, I support these amendments from an additional point of view, which is that in Northern Ireland we have had a great deal of trouble, perhaps over the last 30 years, with encouraging new blood into the political system. Even today, it is very difficult in certain respects to...

I first apologise to the Committee for the unintentional interruption from my mobile phone a few moments ago. I support the amendment, in so far as I have experienced the stresses of double-jobbing. It was necessary for me to be a member of the Northern Ireland Forum during the negotiations...

I first apologise to the Committee for the unintentional interruption from my mobile phone a few moments ago. I support the amendment, in so far as I have experienced the stresses of double-jobbing. It was necessary for me to be a member of the Northern Ireland Forum during the negotiations...

My Lords, the purpose of this group of amendments is to force the Assembly to set up an independent body to decide on its remuneration packages, including pensions. I understand that it is in agreement with that. I am concerned that we jolly well get it done not in five...

My Lords, the purpose of this group of amendments is to force the Assembly to set up an independent body to decide on its remuneration packages, including pensions. I understand that it is in agreement with that. I am concerned that we jolly well get it done not in five...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that response, which was as I expected. We are in the Moses Room and cannot divide in Grand Committee. With your Lordships’ agreement, I beg leave to withdraw this amendment but I shall certainly consider it and almost certainly bring it back...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that response, which was as I expected. We are in the Moses Room and cannot divide in Grand Committee. With your Lordships’ agreement, I beg leave to withdraw this amendment but I shall certainly consider it and almost certainly bring it back...

My Lords, I, too, support the amendments in the name of the noble Lords, Lord Glentoran and Lord Smith of Clifton. There are two profound reasons why we have to consider these amendments very seriously. First, as the noble Lord, Lord Smith, has already said, since Second Reading on 1...

My Lords, I, too, support the amendments in the name of the noble Lords, Lord Glentoran and Lord Smith of Clifton. There are two profound reasons why we have to consider these amendments very seriously. First, as the noble Lord, Lord Smith, has already said, since Second Reading on 1...

My Lords, I thank the Minister, particularly for those last few words. It is a long time since I took the opportunity to tell the Government that I think they are totally wrong. There were many occasions in the past, but in recent years we have agreed on most things...

My Lords, I thank the Minister, particularly for those last few words. It is a long time since I took the opportunity to tell the Government that I think they are totally wrong. There were many occasions in the past, but in recent years we have agreed on most things...