To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on the running of the 2001 Westminster election in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on the running of the 2001 Westminster election in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much public expenditure was incurred in organising the 2005 (a) local government and (b) general elections.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much public expenditure was incurred in organising the 2005 (a) local government and (b) general elections.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to enable Disabled SmartPasses to be used for identification purposes for voting in elections in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to enable Disabled SmartPasses to be used for identification purposes for voting in elections in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Northern Ireland Assembly elections scheduled to be held in May 2008 will be based on constituencies as defined in the forthcoming Boundary Commission report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Northern Ireland Assembly elections scheduled to be held in May 2008 will be based on constituencies as defined in the forthcoming Boundary Commission report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many female candidates there are in the Northern Ireland council elections.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many female candidates there are in the Northern Ireland council elections.

The Government will look at exercising that pressure and that power. However, I cannot accept the amendment moved by the hon. Member for Belfast, North because we believe that we must implement a deadline for the resolution of the Executive election for the offices of First Minister and Deputy First...

The Government will look at exercising that pressure and that power. However, I cannot accept the amendment moved by the hon. Member for Belfast, North because we believe that we must implement a deadline for the resolution of the Executive election for the offices of First Minister and Deputy First...

I am grateful to the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik) for speaking to both schedule 2 and, indeed, schedule 3. I assure him that, when the Assembly is fully restored—I emphasise the words ““fully restored””—with an Executive, a First Minister and a Deputy First Minister and its full legislative...

I am grateful to the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik) for speaking to both schedule 2 and, indeed, schedule 3. I assure him that, when the Assembly is fully restored—I emphasise the words ““fully restored””—with an Executive, a First Minister and a Deputy First Minister and its full legislative...

To return first to the point made by the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Dodds), such changes will be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure of the House; I hope that that is helpful. On the point raised by the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik), the Assembly can...

To return first to the point made by the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Dodds), such changes will be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure of the House; I hope that that is helpful. On the point raised by the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik), the Assembly can...

As the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr. Reid) said, clause 3 allows the Secretary of State to make orders in relation to matters arising as a result of things done under the Bill. It is intended to be used to sweep up any consequential or unforeseen matters relating...

As the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr. Reid) said, clause 3 allows the Secretary of State to make orders in relation to matters arising as a result of things done under the Bill. It is intended to be used to sweep up any consequential or unforeseen matters relating...

In this instance, these are delegated orders for the Secretary of State. As I said, the power applies to particular matters relating to the Bill; it does not have a wider application.

In this instance, these are delegated orders for the Secretary of State. As I said, the power applies to particular matters relating to the Bill; it does not have a wider application.

I am happy to have discussions with the parties. I would not wish, for my benefit, to put a time scale on them at this stage—contradictory as that may seem. The hon. Gentleman knows that as well as dealing with legislation and other matters, we are running Departments in Northern...

I am happy to have discussions with the parties. I would not wish, for my benefit, to put a time scale on them at this stage—contradictory as that may seem. The hon. Gentleman knows that as well as dealing with legislation and other matters, we are running Departments in Northern...

My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State were present in Armagh on 6 April, as were the Taoiseach and I, when these proposals—for this Bill and to restore the Assembly—were brought forward. The Government of the Irish Republic and the British Government are unanimous about...

My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State were present in Armagh on 6 April, as were the Taoiseach and I, when these proposals—for this Bill and to restore the Assembly—were brought forward. The Government of the Irish Republic and the British Government are unanimous about...

I begin by thanking the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Dodds) for stepping in to move the amendment on behalf of the right hon. Member for North Antrim (Rev. Ian Paisley) and the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. Robinson). We have been debating three issues in connection with...

I begin by thanking the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Dodds) for stepping in to move the amendment on behalf of the right hon. Member for North Antrim (Rev. Ian Paisley) and the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. Robinson). We have been debating three issues in connection with...

The hon. Gentleman and I have had a good relationship in the time that we have shadowed each other, and he knows that I do not share his view that I am trying to quote selectively. I recognise that there is still work to be done by the Provisional IRA,...

The hon. Gentleman and I have had a good relationship in the time that we have shadowed each other, and he knows that I do not share his view that I am trying to quote selectively. I recognise that there is still work to be done by the Provisional IRA,...

Absolutely; I agree 110 per cent. with the hon. Gentleman. I look forward to the day when Sinn Fein Members—and SDLP Members—take their places on the Policing Board. I hope that the hon. Gentleman agrees that adherence to the rule of law is fundamental to the operation of a democratic...

Absolutely; I agree 110 per cent. with the hon. Gentleman. I look forward to the day when Sinn Fein Members—and SDLP Members—take their places on the Policing Board. I hope that the hon. Gentleman agrees that adherence to the rule of law is fundamental to the operation of a democratic...

Let us see what happens. I believe that progress is being made and will continue to be made, and that the IMC will back that up. The Government will not tolerate criminality and paramilitary activity. On the republican side, in March we undertook operations resulting in 100,000 litres of fuel...

Let us see what happens. I believe that progress is being made and will continue to be made, and that the IMC will back that up. The Government will not tolerate criminality and paramilitary activity. On the republican side, in March we undertook operations resulting in 100,000 litres of fuel...

I cannot because of lack of time. We have delayed the election for one year, not to meddle with democracy, as has been alleged, but to give the Assembly the opportunity to bed in, if it is formed, and to be stable and satisfactory for going into an election in...

I cannot because of lack of time. We have delayed the election for one year, not to meddle with democracy, as has been alleged, but to give the Assembly the opportunity to bed in, if it is formed, and to be stable and satisfactory for going into an election in...

The debate has been largely good-tempered, which I cannot often say about Northern Ireland debates in the House. From all parts of the House we have had a positive and constructive debate. We even had a voluntary agreement on time sharing, which is a positive step. I hope it will...

The debate has been largely good-tempered, which I cannot often say about Northern Ireland debates in the House. From all parts of the House we have had a positive and constructive debate. We even had a voluntary agreement on time sharing, which is a positive step. I hope it will...

My hon. Friend has highlighted that very clearly, and I support him in his objective. In the meantime, despite the fact that the IRA is moving in the right direction, we as a Government will not tolerate criminality or paramilitary activity in any way, shape or form, whether from the...

My hon. Friend has highlighted that very clearly, and I support him in his objective. In the meantime, despite the fact that the IRA is moving in the right direction, we as a Government will not tolerate criminality or paramilitary activity in any way, shape or form, whether from the...

The hon. Gentleman will know that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to him and the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) to say that we are happy to look at the matter. The Government find the process of Orders in Council unsatisfactory on occasions, too.

The hon. Gentleman will know that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to him and the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) to say that we are happy to look at the matter. The Government find the process of Orders in Council unsatisfactory on occasions, too.