Member

Not surprising but deeply worrying are the comments that Michelle McIlveen made in conclusion, which have been put on the record by the noble Baroness. This process is wholly disrespectful not just of this House but particularly of Northern Ireland and the hard-working Members of the Assembly and committee members from across parties who sought clarity on the statutory instrument and were bounced into a decision. No wonder Michelle McIlveen felt “nearly blackmailed” to vote. Where is the importance of the union to the Government, who took Northern Ireland for granted before seeking to impose the carbon tax on their ferry passengers while exempting all the ferries to the Western Isles of Scotland?