All of Mrs Naomi Long’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
We have leant very heavily on their expertise, and it is important to note that they were part of the panel that we engaged with when designing the system. Much of their work is the same as the work that they will do post-accreditation, but other organisations and individuals can offer restorative practice. There is…
My Department published a new restorative justice practice standards and accreditation framework on 17 October 2025. That will govern the delivery of future restorative justice work for accredited organisations and practitioners. The framework development has been taken forward in partnership with our protocol lead…
The first thing to say is that I am not refusing to include it. I would be unable to include it, because the Executive have already decided on and passed the sentencing Bill in its current form, and it is now in the late stages of drafting. I have indicated that I am happy to engage with the Member who raised the…
Ultimately, the sentencing that is available for manslaughter includes a life sentence, and the decision on what is handed down in any individual case is up to the judiciary, which is independent and has to assess all elements of a case, such as whether there was intent and whether the act actually took place. That…
Whether the Member decides to table an amendment is purely a matter for him. I would have to consider the nature of that amendment. I am not opposed to Harper's law, as, I think, I discussed with you. The issue is this: it has not been used anywhere that it has been introduced, so, in effect, it puts on paper and in…
In Northern Ireland, a life sentence is already mandatory in any murder case and, in circumstances considered appropriate by the court, can be imposed where a defendant, such as those in the Harper case, is found guilty of manslaughter. Current sentencing guidance also specifically addresses the aggravating effect of…
It is for each of the organisations involved to look at what it needs to implement as a result. We have regular check-ups to make sure that the learnings from one domestic homicide review will be carried forward and implemented. Some of those learnings will have already been addressed in the interim period through…
I have looked at that because, unusually, a family waived their right to anonymity in a recent case, so the question arose of whether the perpetrator in the DHR would be offered anonymity when the victim was not exercising that right. However, having reviewed that, I believe that it adds nothing to the process. This…
I understand the distress that families can feel when a pseudonym is used in a domestic homicide review (DHR) rather than the real name of the perpetrator who killed their loved one, particularly when the family of the victim have waived their right to anonymity. However, the fundamental purpose of a DHR is to learn…
Anybody who listened to exactly what I said about innocent victims will be well aware that I said that there is no equivalence between those who broke the law and those who were injured at the hands of those who broke the law; that having been a victim does not make you unaccountable for what you did; that you should…
There is a significant issue with the remaining inquests, which do not fall within the scope of the legacy arrangements, and a significant burden that will be placed on OPONI and the PSNI to service the needs of the Legacy Commission. Whilst the Legacy Commission's costs will be met in full, the organisations that…
I absolutely agree with the Member. Dealing with the legacy of the Troubles has never been properly funded by the UK Government. No dedicated funding has been provided to the Department of Justice for the implementation of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. No additional UK Government funding has been signalled to us…
There are issues on which I would express some concern and some agreement with the Member at a party political level. However, at a departmental level, my main concerns are interference with judicial independence, which, I think, the use of the Advocate General as a backstop will do. There are also issues with the…
With your permission, Mr Speaker, I propose to answer questions 2 and 7 together. Whilst I welcome progress on addressing legacy issues and firmly believe that victims are entitled to expect transparency, truth and justice via a process that does not introduce further delay, concerns remain about the feasibility of…
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. It is not every debate in the Chamber that I wish could last longer. The issues that have been raised in the debate actually require more detailed interventions and expression, because they are really important. I apologise that I will not be able to respond to each Member's…
Imports and exports are, again, a reserved matter, so that is not something that we can control. However, we monitor imports, including where they are delivered to, in order to avoid things being brought either across the border or into Northern Ireland ports that do not meet our requirements. When it comes to trading…
Without being rude, the Member does look considerably over 18. In fairness, if you sell fireworks to people who are under 18, that is one reason why you would be considered unfit to hold a fireworks sale licence, and that licence would be removed. There are cases where people were sold fireworks without having a…
First, I will clarify that it is already possible to identify whether animal sanctuaries would be an appropriate location. There is also the opportunity to specify times, dates and all the other things. If people were to read the fireworks regulations, it would help to inform the debate.
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and thank you to all Members who engaged in the debate. My Department is the relevant authority in respect of explosives licensing, and it grants licences for the storage, possession, selling or legal use of fireworks. The setting of decibel noise limits on the fireworks available to…