Queen's Speech: What's in it for Northern Ireland?

Parliament returned today with a Queen’s Speech following the second prorogation in as many months.

Set against a background of continuing negotiations to find a Brexit deal ahead of the 31 October deadline and the possibility of a General Election, the Speech’s 26 bills laid out the government’s legislative and policy agenda for the new parliamentary session.

In relation to Northern Ireland, the Speech highlighted recent increased spending announcements and money allocated for City Region Deals and Growth Deals. It also included commitments to: 

•  Implement a new protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland in the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill;

• Work to restore devolved power-sharing government at Stormont including continuing to legislate where needed to ensure good governance;

• Establish a Redress Board to determine compensation for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland, as well as the statutory position of a Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Abuse and Office of Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse;
• Set out detailed, balanced and fair proposals on the best way forward, including legislation as needed, to find a solution for dealing with the legacy of the Troubles; 

• Extend provisions in Agricultural Bill as requested by local ministers.

To read the full contents of the Queen's Speech, click here.