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.
I reassure Members that I have no intention of our courts being opened up to broadcasting in the way that, for example, has happened in the US, where they are a televisual spectacular as opposed to being conducted in the interests of justice. What we are talking about is not a proposal that would allow the recording…
As the Member will know, we touched on a separate issue on the family courts. However, the broadcasting of certain court proceedings would be a positive step in improving the public's right to see justice done. A consultation was published last Tuesday, in which I propose that the following aspects of the Court of…
I can explain it. It was because the previous Chief Constable decided not to go out and recruit in a period when the Executive were not here, because he did not feel that he had the confidence, in terms of political leadership, to spend that money without the political cover to do so. That is why the figures fell…
The protection of neighbourhood policing is a matter for the Chief Constable, who has to live within his budget and make decisions about his priorities. It is not for me to tell him where he spends the money that the Department gives him. It is, however, important to note that, throughout the constraints that my…
We are taking action to streamline. The Department is holding a 12-week public consultation on proposals to simplify the sentencing framework by introducing a single, flexible order that will be supervised by a single organisation in the Youth Justice Agency. The duration and requirements of an order will be tailored…
The current sentencing landscape for Youth Court disposals for children in Northern Ireland is very complex. There are seven different types of community orders available to the courts, some of which are rarely, if ever, used. Currently, the orders are provided through different pieces of legislation, some of which…
First, I do not recognise those comments. For example, when I look at the improvement in our prisons, I see that there has been ample recognition of the significant improvements in safety, security and rehabilitation activity in our prisons. There has been an acknowledgement of the additional resources for, investment…
I could say that Sorcha is always right, which would save me answering the question, because, of course, she is. However, there is no thinly veiled criticism of me as the Justice Minister in Sorcha's comments. I could also stand here and say that the law must apply and be seen to apply equally to all. That is why I do…
Peaceful protests are an important part of our civil rights. If any person considers that the actions or behaviours of the PSNI when policing peaceful protests are inappropriate, they can lodge a complaint with the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. However, policing demonstrations is clearly an…
I am aware of ongoing issues with the illegal use of off-road motorcycles. Such issues, as with any community safety issue, require collective partnership working across local and central government to identify the causes and put in place joined-up, long-term solutions to prevent incidents arising and tackle the…
First, every person who is guilty of manslaughter or murder receives a mandatory life sentence. The issue is the length of the tariff that is attached to that sentence before they can be considered for parole. In Northern Ireland, for good reason, we do not have whole-life sentences, which is the model that some are…
My Department is planning a review of further sentencing issues that have emerged in recent years, particularly those that have emerged since we went through significant legislative change in the previous mandate in relation to domestic abuse and sexual violence. Several issues have been identified for consideration,…
Again, I do not want to give opinions on sentencing for crimes against women and girls. I can, however, tell you what will and will not be in the Bill. There will be a statement of the principles and purposes of sentencing; provision to allow the further use of community sentences; statutory starting points for life…
With your permission Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 6 and 11 together. I received Executive approval to the proposed content of my sentencing Bill on 19 December 2024. The Bill will deliver on a number of the recommendations arising from my Department’s public consultation on a review of sentencing policy. It…
It is not for me to set that out; that was a judgement made in the courts in a challenge that was taken on the difference between an early and a late guilty plea. Initially, the range available to the judiciary was much greater, starting at 33% for what was considered an early guilty plea and going down to zero if it…
As the Speaker knows, I am full of opinions, but I am not always willing to share them in this setting. Members will be aware that sentencing decisions are determined by the independent judiciary and are based on individual circumstances for each case. The relevant sentencing guidance is available, and the sentence…
The consultation that I referred to will close on 11 July, and, after that, the Department will carefully consider all of the responses. It would not be appropriate to predetermine the potential policy solutions that may be introduced until the responses to the consultation have been considered, and it should not be…
A late guilty plea can cause particular challenges for victims, witnesses and the justice system. Victims and witnesses will have experienced the considerable stress of anticipating and preparing themselves for a court trial that does not proceed or does not proceed to its conclusion because of a late change of plea.…
It is not possible for me to do so, because I do not have access to that information directly. OPONI has, however, advised me that, since 2021, it has received around 40 complaints of what it described as "police predatory behaviour" and that it continues to receive an average of eight cases a year. It has not…
My Department is exploring legislative proposals on police officer misconduct. Members will be aware that OPONI, in its five-year review, made a number of recommendations, as did the PSNI. I think that there were seven in all on misconduct. Should primary legislative change be required, such legislation may not be…
The vetting and employment of police officers is not a matter for the Department of Justice. When you look at the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) report on abuse of position concerns and complaints, however, you see that there are recommendations on how justice organisations should address matters…
Investigations into complaints about the police are an operational matter for the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI). However, I recognise the potential for abuse of position, including sexual exploitation, by persons in authority when engaging with vulnerable persons. I therefore support the…
Transparency in the justice system, and particularly in the family courts, has to be balanced against the private and personal information, often related to minors, that could be disclosed. We are looking at that, and the Member might be aware of the work that my Department has been doing on that. However, it is…
I understand the Member's frustration, but non-molestation orders are a matter for the Department of Finance and not the Department of Justice. Enforcement in individual cases is a matter for the relevant judge, and, in reaching decisions, the judge will strive to ensure that the paramount consideration of the welfare…
I am not aware that the absence of guardians ad litem or children's court guardians has been a significant issue in slowing access to justice. However, if there are specific areas or issues that the Member is aware of and wants to bring to my attention, I would be more than happy to meet her to discuss them further.