§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 20 June (WA 104) concerning Irish nationals, whether they agree with the view of the Irish Government that the citizens of Northern Ireland are Irish. [HL4946]
§ Lord Williams of MostynAs I said in my previous Answer to the noble Lord (9 May 2002), Irish nationality is essentially a matter for the Government of Ireland. But Her Majesty's Government, as well as the Irish Government, subscribe fully to the passage of the Belfast Agreement recognising the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British or both; and as the agreement confirms, their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by the Government.