Northern Ireland governance debated in the Lords

Humble address

This debate took the form of a Motion for Humble Address, a procedure used by Parliament to express opinion and communicate messages with the Crown.

The address in the Lords followed the return of the Northern Ireland executive to Stormont this month and the UK government's policy paper 'Safeguarding the Union', published on 31 January 2024.

Members speaking

Lord Caine (Conservative), Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office, opened the debate and responded on behalf of the government.

During debates, members of the Lords put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns. 

Contributing members included:

• Lord Bew (Crossbench), professor of Irish politics, Queen's University Belfast
• Lord Browne of Belmont and Lord Dodds of Duncarin (DUP), former NI Assembly Members and Lord Mayors of Belfast
• Lord Godson (Conservative), former visiting professor at the University of Ulster
• Lord Jay of Ewelme (Crossbench), chair of the Lords Windsor Framework Committee
• Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour), former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
• Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour), director of Co-operation Ireland
• Baroness Suttie (Liberal Democrats), Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Northern Ireland.

Members also considered a 'motion to regret' put forward by Baroness Hoey, which was withdrawn at the conclusion of the debate. Find out more.

Get involved

Watch and read the debate   

Catch up on  Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore further information

Find out more about the issues discussed in the House of Lords Library briefing.

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