Robin Swann
MP for South Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · United Kingdom
“More importantly, it is practical and evidence-based and deserves to be tested rather than dismissed. The incoming Prime Minister talks of more devolution. Here is an opportunity for the Minister to put such a case in front of him.”
“Hospitality is one of the largest employers of our young people, and it provides opportunities for people entering the workforce, developing skills or returning to employment. Protecting hospitality means protecting livelihoods in every constituency across our country. Thirdly, it would strengthen tourism.”
“Indeed, article 8 of the Northern Ireland protocol specifically envisages a situation where VAT arrangements may diverge to address competitive imbalances with the Republic of Ireland, which is the case here. The legal route, the economic case and the practical mechanism exist. What is required now is the political will to act.”
“It is especially striking that the United Kingdom’s 20% VAT rate for hospitality is increasingly an outlier across Europe. France applies 10%, Italy 10%, Croatia 13% and Germany is moving towards a reduced hospitality rate.”
“This is a request not for special treatment but for fairness, economic common sense and the opportunity to test a policy that could strengthen businesses, protect jobs and support communities across every part of Northern Ireland while providing valuable evidence for policymakers across the United Kingdom.”
“I agreed with the hon. Member until his last point. The McKeever group owns the hotel in which he was married. I had my wedding reception at the group’s Dunsilly hotel, and it is just celebrating the 40th anniversary— [ Interruption. ] Of the hotel, not my marriage, just to be clear to the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon).”
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“Can I ask the House to pay tribute to and acknowledge the contribution of my hon. Friend the Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon)? [Hon. Members: “Hear, hear.”] That emotion, that story and that heartfelt contribution to today’s debate are replicated across many houses across Northern Ireland, and indeed across this United Kingdom, in regard to those who have lost loved ones, both at the hands of terrorism and in other circumstances in Northern Ireland. That emotion is also felt by our veterans. It is only when I came into this place that I realised, as a Northern Ireland politician, that when we speak of a Northern Ireland veteran, we speak of the RUC, the UDR, the home regiments and those who served, as well as the family and relatives of my hon.”
“At question time last week, the Prime Minister seemed to intimate that the Government were bringing forward amendments to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. Within hours of him saying that, the Irish Government’s Minister for Foreign Affairs said that any “significant changes” must have the “full agreement of both Governments”. Is the Prime Minister intending to bring forward amendments to the flawed Northern Ireland Troubles Bill? Will he give me a reassurance that the Irish Government do not have a veto over legislation in this House?”
“Does the hon. Lady acknowledge that much of the work that was achieved in the Belfast agreement was undermined in St Andrews in 2007, when there was a change to how the First and Deputy First Ministers were elected? Rather than being a co-post, it became a divided office.”
“I heard the Prime Minister refer to the work of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee in the Chamber last week. Does the Minister realise that that has met only 12 times since 2024? It is not a Committee that is doing a lot of work or delivering a lot.”
“The Minister knows that I have challenged the Secretary of State about the transformation fund that was set up when the Executive came back two years ago. Does he agree that it is lamentable that that money is still not completely spent and not completely allocated? A committee has been formed to assess the best projects, rather than actually getting on with supporting the Ministers who want to make transformation a real thing.”
“On 26 March last year, three RAF Pumas performed a final fly-past of Aldergrove in my constituency. What urgency is there to fill that capacity gap of medium-lift helicopters and to secure a full utilisation of what used to be Joint Helicopter Command Aldergrove?”
“I want to take the Minister back to his earlier commitment on Scotland. Will the Government give the same commitment to farmers in Northern Ireland? We have a very different family farm structure from that in the rest of the United Kingdom, and the engagement of and representations by the Ulster Farmers’ Union and the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster should bring this Government to a realisation that their last proposals did not sit well with farmers across this United Kingdom.”
“That is an important point, and one that the Minister needs to clarify. The Government’s online advice actually says that it is not simply a married couple or those in a civil partnership; it says: “Two people (such as siblings) who jointly own a farm will be able to pass on a farm up to £5.65 million tax free.” The Government have to provide clarity on that.”
“The other question is maybe minor, but I seek clarity from the Minister on the additional powers being given to customs officials under the regulations, and on the additional customs implications for small and medium enterprises in Northern Ireland due to the Windsor framework. Can he reassure me that the use of those additional powers will not have an adverse effect on parcels and packages coming from GB into Northern Ireland, and that the regulations will not become an impairment to keeping the border between GB and Northern Ireland free for the movement of goods and parcels?”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Mundell. I have two questions for the Minister about the regulations. He touched briefly on the interaction with Garda Síochána; I note that enforcement of the regulations will “serve to improve the interoperability of Border Force and Immigration Enforcement with partner law enforcement agencies”. Given that Northern Ireland is the only part of this United Kingdom that has a land border with an EU member state, that interaction with the Garda Síochána and equivalent organisations will be crucial to implementing the regulations appropriately.”
“When the Executive were restored two years ago, a fund was set up for the transformation of public services. As of yet, that money has not been fully allocated. Will the Secretary of State use his offices to encourage the Executive to deploy that transformation fund to transform Northern Ireland’s public services?”
“The Ulster Farmers’ Union and the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster made many representations here with regard to the damage that this policy would do to Northern Ireland farms, but there is one specific point I want to ask the Minister about. He has mentioned a number of times the allowance being passed between couples and civil partnerships. Example 2, in his own Government paper, states: “Two people (such as siblings) who jointly own a farm will be able to pass on a farm up to £5.65 million” under the allowance. If there is a father and daughter, uncle, aunt, niece and nephew in that partnership, can they pass on that allowance, too—seeing as he is the tax Minister?”
“I welcome the steps taken by Ministers in their support for our armed forces, but may I caution them that the Northern Ireland Office’s troubles Bill has the potential to undo all that? The protections for veterans in the Bill are not specifically for veterans, no matter how they are packaged—and how weak it sounds to tell a Northern Ireland veteran who lives in Northern Ireland and served in Northern Ireland that he will not have to go to Northern Ireland to give evidence. The Minister has often cited the fact that no Northern Ireland party supported the last Government’s legislation. Can he tell me what Northern Ireland party currently supports the Bill as it is drafted, and if he cannot do so, will he pause and reflect?”
“4. What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on providing additional funding for the ReImagining Supply Chains Network Plus programme.”
“The Minister mentioned our investment event held last week, where I and the right hon. Member for Belfast East (Gavin Robinson) hosted Antrim and Newtownabbey borough council for its first Westminster economic investment showcase. How do the Government expect that UK Research and Innovation-funded supply chain research will align with city deal investments, such as the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre—AMIC—in my constituency?”
“Regarding the accusation that the Secretary of State is rushing this through, he will be conscious of an Irish Government who are not rushing anything through with regard to support. Yesterday the Justice Minister in the Republic of Ireland received permission from the Government to draft priority legislation to enable state bodies to give oral evidence to the Omagh inquiry. That was only because the Omagh families are taking legal action. What engagement has the Secretary of State had with the Irish Government about bringing forward legislation that matches what he is bringing forward in this place? Can I also ask him who he is dealing with at the minute? It used to be the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, who has now been promoted. Is it the Justice Minister, who is bringing this forward, or is it the new Foreign Affairs Minister?”
“Members for Surrey Heath (Dr Pinkerton) and for Leicester South, is the benefit of increasing and upgrading existing facilities to bring about an increase in the number of women and girls taking part in the sport. There is a wide interest in that. The biggest obstacle for both clubs is setting up changing facilities to make their facilities more accessible. I commend the other Members who have spoken about the benefits of cricket, both physical and from a mental health point of view. I know that the Minister will respond on the subject of the debate, but I seek assurance that she works with her devolved counterparts to make sure that the benefits of sport, and especially cricket, are fully recognised.”
“Those issues have already been mentioned, but they are not unique to England. They include an appeal for indoor areas and nets at council leisure facilities, which could benefit continual practice all year round, especially in cold and adverse weather. The hon. Member for Strangford mentioned Government grants. Although both clubs said that grants were important to maintain safety standards and good facilities, they found that the new process in Northern Ireland of match funding grants can often be restrictive for some clubs. It means going back to the same people time and again to get match funding, whereas previously core grants were made for a specific issue. The last issue that both clubs mentioned, which was also mentioned by the hon.”
“Member for Strangford mentioned the support that exists in the devolved nations, but unfortunately, a number of different clubs and sporting codes in my constituency have been raising with me since I was first elected the issue of support from local government and from Antrim and Newtownabbey council. That is why I conducted a survey earlier this year of all the sporting clubs across the constituency and of teams across different codes, which engendered a significant response. On the back of that, I produced a sports development report for the constituency with the intent of informing a plan to improve provision, boost investment and deliver support for local teams and clubs. Given the subject of the debate, I want to concentrate on the issues raised by Muckamore and Templepatrick cricket clubs.”
“The second club is Templepatrick cricket club, which plays out of the Cloughan in Ballyclare. If anybody knows Northern Ireland, there is a slight confusion because it is named after a different town from the one it plays in. That club formed more recently, in cricket terms—in 1969. Cricket in Northern Ireland is a cross-community sport. It is often not recognised for the work it does in that regard. Templepatrick was recently shortlisted for Cricket Ireland club of the year and has one of the biggest youth systems across the island of Ireland. The club capped a successful 2024 campaign by winning section 1 and securing promotion to the top flight. This debate is about Government support, which is obviously an issue. The hon.”
“The club includes all ages and abilities. Its older members still come together to form a walking group that walks around the town of Antrim to keep up social interaction. They still take that opportunity to call into my constituency office to tell me what I should and could be doing and give me their opinions on everything. That shows the strength of the connection through the cricket club that has been built up through the years and generations. The hon. Member for Leicester South talked about the number of tennis courts that have been lost. The lawn tennis club has taken the next step and developed a partnership with a group to build padel courts that can be used in all seasons. That shows its commitment to a healthy lifestyle and keeping people fit and active.”
“But cricket has deep, embedded roots and love in our villages and small towns in Northern Ireland, and indeed across the island of Ireland. The owners of the old flax and spinning mills created their own cricket teams around the mills, and many of those teams are still in existence today. That is why I want to take the opportunity to talk specifically about two cricket clubs in my constituency. The first, Muckamore cricket club—or, to give it its full title, Muckamore cricket and lawn tennis club—was established in 1874 and just celebrated its 150th anniversary. It is still going strong, with its own grounds and a number of teams across all ages. Over the years, it has grown to become one of the premier clubs within the Northern Cricket Union, culminating in its second Challenge cup victory on its 150th anniversary last year.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Turner. I congratulate the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Andrew Lewin) on securing the debate. I do not want to start with something controversial, but I will. The hon. Member said that cricket is “quintessentially English,” and I think the hon. Member for Leicester South (Shockat Adam) was surprised, too, to see me and the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon)—two Northern Ireland MPs—in the Chamber to take part in a debate about the values of cricket. To start with, I do not think that the hon. Member for Leicester South should be surprised at the fact that the hon. Member for Strangford is here, because I do not think there is a debate in this place that he does not attend—he is always at the scene.”
“I commend the Secretary of State for his action to try to prevent industrial action. Nye Bevan had his own challenges with the BMA. The covid inquiry made a number of recommendations with regard to co-ordination and preparedness across all four nations. What interaction has the Secretary of State had with the devolved nations in respect of this wave of flu, RSV and access to vaccinations?”
“Violence against women and girls is a current issue, but it is also an historical issue. On the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, sexual crime is not listed as one of those that can be looked at under the current commission, on which I have tabled an amendment. Will the Minister commit to working with me and the Northern Ireland Office to include sexual crime in the Bill?”
“In the press conference this morning, the Chief Constable said that the “investigation has demonstrated that murders that could and should have been prevented were allowed to take place”. There was always an alternative to murder in Northern Ireland, so does the Secretary of State agree with me that it is now time for an inquiry to identify and hold to account those who directed terrorism and murder in Northern Ireland?”
“The hon. Member is speaking on behalf of his party, but also from a devolved nation point of view. Does he agree that this is one of those unusual circumstances in which this Government have managed to unite every party in Northern Ireland on a single issue, and in opposition to the proposal?”
“The Minister has referred to the threat that Russia poses to UK national security. A former Irish Teachta Dála who was also a deputy chief of an Irish army unit has said: “If you are looking to affect a western country with extensive assets and poor security culture, then Ireland is ground zero…It is a playground for them.” He was specifically speaking of Russian intelligence. The Minister has rightly referred to working with EU and international partners. May I seek an assurance that he is also working with the Irish Government and Irish security forces to ensure that the Republic of Ireland does not become a soft way into Northern Ireland and, indeed, the rest of the United Kingdom?”
“In one recommendation, the Committee suggests that the “exclusion of…Troubles-related sexual crimes from the commission’s remit” ought to be addressed in the Bill. In that case, will the Chair of the Select Committee support my amendment 4, which would do that?”
“I thank the Chair of the Select Committee for the evidence sessions. The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will go into Committee of the whole House, so those sessions will be the only opportunity for witnesses to come put forward and give their testimonies on the Bill and the current legislation. Forty-two amendments and five new clauses have already been tabled, which shows the interest in it and the further work that needs to be done on it. On the warm words of the Irish Government, I have been involved in those conversations for 14 years and heard a lot of warm words, but we have never seen anything on legacy from the Irish Government, either on paper or in delivery. Will the Chair of the Select Committee continue to put pressure on her own Front Benchers to produce some action in that regard?”
“Last Friday, my party colleague, Robbie Butler, the chair of the Northern Ireland agricultural committee, met with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister, Baroness Hayman, to press the urgency of securing a long-term solution.”
“I beg to move, That this House has considered the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Allin-Khan. Before I begin, I direct Members to my entry in the register of interests. As we approach the end of the year, Northern Ireland’s farming, veterinary and animal welfare sectors are facing a potential crisis that can no longer be ignored. On 31 December, the veterinary medicines grace period is due to end. Without a clear, workable plan from Government, the supply of hundreds of essential veterinary medicines is set to be disrupted.”
“I thank the hon. Gentleman for the first of several interventions. At that meeting, we made it clear to the Minister that a solution must be in place by the end of this year. If it is not, the consequences for animal health, human health and our agrifood economy could be severe. Time is running out—we have only four weeks to go. This issue has been known about for some time. In February of this year, I hosted an event with the British Veterinary Association in Parliament to highlight the concerns and to urge Government to act while there was still plenty of time. That was 10 months ago. Since then, the warnings have grown louder. Recently, more than 19,000 vets from across the United Kingdom signed a joint letter to Government stressing the importance of protecting Northern Ireland’s access to veterinary medicines.”
“I agree. The potential loss of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland threatens animal health and welfare. Essential vaccines and treatments may become harder to obtain, increasing disease risk and undermining herd and flock health. Our vets and farmers would be forced into reactive treatment, adding strain to veterinary capacity and raising the risk of avoidable animal suffering and public health impacts. Pet owners will also be negatively impacted, particularly in filling veterinary prescriptions from online veterinary pharmacies, which are currently based in Great Britain and, for many, are more cost effective.”
“The hon. Member raises another valid point. Northern Ireland is exposed because of the divergence caused by the terms of the Windsor framework. Our supply chains, unlike those elsewhere in the United Kingdom, are subject to the additional EU rules.”
“Northern Ireland farmers are already under pressure from the threat of disease, rising costs and the introduction of the farm family inheritance tax. Losing access to essential veterinary medicines would make it far harder to maintain healthy livestock and sustainable family businesses. Not only will pet owners feel the impact, with everyday treatments potentially becoming scarce or expensive, but animal rescue charities, which already operate on tight budgets, fear that the disruption could prevent them from providing for the animals in their care. As a former Health Minister, I know that any threat to animal health is also a threat to human health. Effective disease control in animals underpins food safety, public health and the security of our agrifood sector, and antimicrobial resistance is a real threat to both humans and animals.”
“It is important to note that, even if any of the four retailers comes online, not all drugs currently used by animal owners may be available. In some cases, alternatives or substitutes will need to be found, sometimes at very short notice, and unfortunately substitutes are not a fix-all solution. Allergies, intolerances and other sensitivities mean that some animals will not be able to use those alternatives. That highlights the ongoing risks and the need for a long-term solution. Marketing authorisation for a product does not necessarily mean that it will continue to be supplied. Indeed, manufacturers are still finalising their decisions, which they may or may not communicate in advance of January.”
“It has been reported that between 10% and 15% of drugs and pack sizes are expected to be discontinued in Northern Ireland, and we know that 20 of those have no suitable alternative available on the Northern Ireland market. If manufacturers find it unviable to continue supplying Northern Ireland, vets, farmers and pet owners will be left with far fewer options. Ministers have informed me that they are working with four online retailers to ensure a continued supply of veterinary medicines in the new year. Animal owners with a prescription from a vet will be able to order medicines through one of those sites, but there is still no clarification as to who will be able to order and when—or even which medicines will be available—through what is, for many, a way of accessing affordable veterinary medicines.”
“The issue of veterinary medicines was not sufficiently addressed in the Windsor Framework, and in the absence of a veterinary agreement between the UK and the EU, the supply of critical products like vaccines for production animals, companion animals and horses, cannot be guaranteed.” In June 2025, the Government announced the veterinary medicine health situation scheme, which was meant to permit the use of suitable alternative products from outside Northern Ireland through exemptions but, with only weeks to go, the definition of exemption is still unclear. It was also announced that the veterinary medicines internal market scheme will enable vets to use, when needed, specific individual medicines that are not authorised or available in Northern Ireland. Again, the process for accessing those is still unclear.”
“I agree with the hon. Member. It is not just the politicians who are saying that: the British Veterinary Association has said: “From 1 January 2026, the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland will be thrown into uncertainty on account of the end of a post-Brexit grace period.”
“Once the grace period ends on 31 December this year, any veterinary medicine that comes directly from GB to Northern Ireland will be treated as a non-EU import into Northern Ireland and subject to additional red tape. We have seen the grace period extended multiple times, but extensions are not a solution. We need certainty. The Government’s commitment to provide timely advice and information during the transition period is welcome, but that engagement alone will not secure supply chains in the long term.”
“The right hon. Member makes a very valid point. I remember well the Saturday when the EU tried to use article 16 of the protocol for covid vaccinations. At that point much work was done for human medicines, but that was a number of years ago. It was done between the Department of Health in Northern Ireland, the Cabinet Office and, indeed, the European Union. I am still at a loss as to why the same emphasis was not applied to animal medicines at that point in time, because it was not as if the challenges were not known back then. Human medicines can be licensed by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for use in Northern Ireland, allowing the same provisions for medicines in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain, but the same is not true for veterinary medicines.”
“Will the Department work closely with organisations such as the BVA and National Office of Animal Health to ensure guidance is practical, accurate and communicated effectively to all relevant stakeholders? And will she outline what mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that vets and farmers receive timely updates on any changes to access, prescribing routes or fallback options? To date, those questions remain unanswered.”
“There is a concern that a threat or complication to supply will lead to a move to replace a legitimate supply chain with black market or indeed illegal supply chains. Northern Ireland cannot be left exposed. A secure settlement on veterinary medicines is essential for animal health, human health, and the future of our agrifood sector. I, along with others, have made the argument, and it is now up to the Government to act to protect the health of our animals and farms. Will the Minister answer three specific questions? Can she confirm when clear professional guidance will be issued to veterinary professionals and farmers in Northern Ireland regarding the continuity of access to veterinary medicines post 31 December?”
“The Government estimate that the number of products under supply and discontinuation threats is actually extremely low. However, there is limited transparency around the evidence base, which raises questions about the reliability of that claim. The second concern is communication. Despite the impending deadline, vets have been provided with limited guidance on the practical application of lease schemes. The lack of urgency and targeted messaging risks disruption, confusion and concerns about liability. The third concern is that of cost. Divergent legislation and bureaucracy in a smaller market like Northern Ireland’s will raise the cost of veterinary medicines. Those pressures could flow through practices to pet owners as well as farmers, with a potential knock-on effect to the agrifood economy. The fourth concern is criminality.”
“That was part of the reason for bringing forward this debate today. Any Minister or any organisation I have spoken to that has been involved with the committee on veterinary medicines regulations, which was established under the last Government, seem to be doing a lot of talking and engagement, but there does not seem to be much proof of what is going to happen come 31 December in regards to the continuation of veterinary medicine supply to Northern Ireland. It is another example of how this Government are treating farmers across the United Kingdom—seeing them as a second set of industry—and how they do not seem to grasp the concerns and real effects that their decisions are having. There are four core concerns that remain around this issue. One is confidence.”
“With regard to market surveillance to look at costs, what powers do the Government have, should a pharmaceutical supplier decide to increase costs? That would be interfering with the commercial market, and I do not see where the Government have the powers to do what they say they want to do, or may do, in that instance.”
“The Minister has been gracious in taking interventions. One issue that she has not touched on yet is pet owners with a prescription who buy medication online from GB suppliers. What reassurance can she give us there? I have heard everything that she has said to date, but I have not heard her address that issue.”
“In an earlier answer, the Foreign Secretary said that trade relations between China and the UK were “in our national interest”. To that extent, can I ask what conversations her Department had with Invest Northern Ireland prior to its signing a co-operation framework memorandum of understanding with the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK?”
“Justice is devolved to Northern Ireland, with the exception of the regulation of non-jury trials. On 9 June, the then Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the hon. Member for Putney (Fleur Anderson), said in a Committee of this place on the extension of non-jury trials in Northern Ireland that “the Secretary of State has asked officials over the next two years to examine how Northern Ireland could move away from those provisions”. —[ Official Report, First Delegated Legislation Committee, 9 June 2025; c. 5.] Is that still the Government’s mind?”