§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 5 December (WA 126), whether the Belfast Agreement has been amended; and, if so, how this fits with the ethos of the agreement guaranteeing cross-community support for all decisions. [HL561]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe Belfast Agreement has not been amended. The agreement between the two governments contained in the exchange of notes of 19 November 2002 made provision for the making of decisions during suspension on "policies and actions relating to the Implementation Bodies, Tourism Ireland Limited or their respective functions". As the joint statement of the two governments of 18 December made clear, each government will consult as appropriate in the exercise of their powers under the agreement of 19 November. The British Government will consult on a cross-community basis, in keeping with the ethos of the Belfast Agreement.