Paterson pressed over security budget

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15th December 2010

The secretary of state for Northern Ireland has assured MPs about the costs of security.

Owen Paterson told the Commons that the UK government has made "a fair settlement" with the NI executive, who in turn have agreed a draft budget.

"We have made clear that if the security situation deteriorates, the local justice minister can bid for extra money from the contingency reserve," he said at Northern Ireland questions.

He was repeatedly asked to give assurances and confirmed that any extra money that may been needed by the PSNI would come from the Treasury and not the NI budget.

Paterson was also pressed on the possibility of more inquiries into the past.

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry) complained about the proposed inquiry into the 1989 murder of solicitor Pat Finucane.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Shaun Woodward said the previous government and the Irish government made a commitment that there will be an inquiry into Finucane.

He said ministers would be "unwise to act unilaterally".

Paterson said the situation is difficult and told MPs that Woodward "ended up in Mexican standoff" with Finucane family.

"I had a very helpful meeting with Mrs Finucane and her son about the process," he said.

Woodward paid tribute to Mrs Finucane.

"Is he beginning to understand the damage to community support if he was to renege on previous promises to investigate the past?" he asked.

Paterson said Woodward did not meet Mrs Finucane while he was secretary of state and there are "a number of issues to be considered".

Nigel Dodds (DUP, Belfast North) asked about allegations from Wikileaks that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness had prior knowledge of the 2004 bank raid that netted more than £26.5m.

Paterson said law and order are matters for the police and prosecuting authorities.

Dodds warned there must be "equality of pursuit" against not just dissident republicans but "mainstream republicans" who are involved in illegal activities.

NI minister Hugo Swire was asked about a proposed state visit to the Republic of Ireland.

He told the House that a formal invitation has not yet been issued but he hopes the Queen's visit will be possible.

It would be first time a British monarch has formally visited the Republic.

Swire said there are 870,000 Irish-born people in the UK and 90,000 British people living in the Republic.

Jeffrey Donaldson (DUP, Lagan Valley) said it is "past time we had a visit" and pointed out that the President of Ireland has visited the UK on many occasions.

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