UK Parliament / Open data

Northern Ireland Bill (Allocation of Time)

Proceeding contribution from Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 4 March 2009. It occurred during Debate on bills and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Northern Ireland Bill.

I think that the hon. Member for Foyle (Mark Durkan) has given the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Mr. Donaldson) his answer. He said that the instances to which the hon. Gentleman refers were all to do with the referendum. However, there is a constitutional principle at stake here: it is this House and this Parliament that devolve power. While any indication from the Assembly is highly persuasive and certainly not to be dismissed lightly, the final decision rests with us. We do not subcontract our responsibility in that way.