§ Mr. DonaldsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the likely cost to public funds is of the portrait that has been commissioned of the former Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Lord Alderdice; and who recommended the commissioning of the portrait. [178855]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe proposal that a portrait be commissioned to mark the retirement of the former Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Lord Alderdice, was proposed at a meeting held earlier this year attended by representatives of the main Northern Ireland political parties. I subsequently agreed to this proposal. Arrangements for commissioning the portrait have still to be made so the cost is not yet known.