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.
1,632 records match, page 43 of 66.
With respect, the Member's question, whilst it is valid, is way outside the scope of this particular issue. This is about the vires of the ombudsman's office and its legal responsibilities. It is not about wider concerns about the operation of the office in modern-day cases. It is important that we keep focus on the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Justice Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Justice
First, I do not agree with the Member, because the judgement does not say that it was by political motivation. It does reflect the reality, however, that, in the view of the courts, the determinations reached exceeded the scope of the ombudsman's powers. Therefore, we will have to reflect on that. As I have already…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Justice Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Justice
When reflecting on all these issues, I am conscious that the most controversial interventions that the ombudsman's office makes tend to involve issues that are about historical legacy cases. That was not the purpose of the ombudsman's office when it was designed, but it became the purpose of the ombudsman in lieu of…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Justice Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Justice
I am aware of the High Court judgement and will consider it and any implications that it might have in due course. However, I remind the Assembly that the Police Ombudsman operates independently of the Minister of Justice and of the Department. The ombudsman's office carries out a vital role in investigating…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Justice Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Justice
Thank you.
Not analysed
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme
The enabling access to justice reform programme seeks to ensure that processes and procedures aid efficiency and incentivise early resolution. The programme looks at supporting ongoing work by the Criminal Justice Board to reduce delay and enable structured early engagement by ensuring that remuneration structures…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme
Initially, the focus is specifically aimed at encouraging men and boys to consider their attitudes and behaviours towards women and girls and to challenge attitudes and behaviours that women and girls find unacceptable. It is about giving them mechanisms and a safe way in which to do so. The campaign will then evolve…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Power to Change Campaign Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Power to Change Campaign
I completely agree with my colleague, as no one will be surprised to hear. I have prioritised violence against women and girls and domestic and sexual abuse and violence throughout my time as Justice Minister. When I took the proposal to the Executive about wanting to have a strategy to tackle violence against women…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Power to Change Campaign Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Power to Change Campaign
We can always do better. I never want to stand here and say, "Yes, I think it is sufficient". However, good support is in place, whether that is through work in prisons on resilience, the training of new officers or access to the PRRT. If we look at the uptake for that service from serving and former officers, we see…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Prison Officers: Attacks Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Prison Officers: Attacks
Our prisons are incredibly safe places, compared with other similar prisons. If you look at recent reviews of the prisons estate by CJINI, for example, you will see that levels of violence are lower than in comparable establishments elsewhere. However, as the Member, rightly, says, any attack on a prison officer is…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Prison Officers: Attacks Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Prison Officers: Attacks
Again, that falls outside my purview. The PSNI's decision to purchase the Kinnegar barracks is now a matter of public record. My understanding is that it has been taken to the board. I suggest that the Member speaks to his colleagues who sit on the board about progress in that regard, and to the Chief Constable…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: PSNI: Holywood Station Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: PSNI: Holywood Station
No, because it is not my decision whether PSNI stations remain open or closed, are refurbished or anything else. The estate strategy is entirely a matter for the Chief Constable, and he is answerable to the board. I cannot provide the reassurance that the Member seeks, because it is not within my purview. I encourage…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: PSNI: Holywood Station Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: PSNI: Holywood Station
Where I can meet demands, or at least offer compromises, I have already sought to do so. I am willing to continue to try to do so. However, some of the demands, such as the immediate change to legal aid, are simply impossible. I will be making it clear to the criminal Bar representatives when I meet them tomorrow, as…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Criminal Bar: Withdrawal of Legal Aid Services Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Criminal Bar: Withdrawal of Legal Aid Services
As I noted previously, the demands appear to have evolved over recent days. I believe that I met the demands that were set out in November: publication of the Burgess review report, implementation of an uplift in fees without delay and a timetable for reform. Further requests were received in December, including that…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Criminal Bar: Withdrawal of Legal Aid Services Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Criminal Bar: Withdrawal of Legal Aid Services
As the Member demonstrates in his question, many of the issues that will prevent offending are not the responsibility of the Department of Justice. They fall to other Departments, whether that is the Department for the Economy, the Department for Communities or, indeed, other Departments beyond that. It is important,…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Prisons: Increase in Female Prisoner Numbers Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Prisons: Increase in Female Prisoner Numbers
There are a number of reasons why there are more women in prison today as opposed to during the pandemic. First of all, there was a concerted effort to remove people from the prison system during the pandemic, and many people have brought cases forward post pandemic that might otherwise have happened during that…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Prisons: Increase in Female Prisoner Numbers Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Prisons: Increase in Female Prisoner Numbers
My Department is not in the business of putting people into boxes, nor is it a responsibility of the Department to define the number of gender categories that exist. Our responsibility is to support everyone who comes into contact with the justice system, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status,…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Gender Recognition: Justice System Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Gender Recognition: Justice System
That issue has been raised with me by many people who have been victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse and then find themselves in the family courts after the breakdown of their relationship. I am of the view that permitting media reporting of proceedings concerning children in the family courts would be a…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Courts: Broadcasting Capability Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Courts: Broadcasting Capability
I am keen that there should be greater openness, transparency and accountability in the conduct of court business, as I believe that increasing the public's understanding of what the judiciary does and how judicial decisions are made will enhance confidence and trust in the justice system. One initiative that, I…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Courts: Broadcasting Capability Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Courts: Broadcasting Capability
I am not aware of the Department of Finance having changed its position with respect to the employment of prison officers under the normal Civil Service code. However, the governance of prisons, as the Member knows, is through the application of normal prison rules. Where someone assaults a prison officer, we expect…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Prison Officers: Attacks Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Prison Officers: Attacks
To be clear, in 2020, when we had our lowest prisoner numbers during COVID, there were 32 assaults on staff. To compare what happened this year, when we are at our largest ever prison population, with that year is an unjust comparison. For example, if you look back, you see that, last year, the number of assaults was…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Prison Officers: Attacks Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Prison Officers: Attacks
The work of prison officers is challenging, complex and often overlooked, but it is critical to the safety and security of Northern Ireland and of people who are held in custody. In 2020, there were 32 assaults on staff; in 2021, there were 71; in 2022, there were 66; in 2023, there were 59; and, in 2024, there were…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Prison Officers: Attacks Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Prison Officers: Attacks
The intention is that the secondary legislation that underpins that will complete its passage by May. As you know, I have foreshortened the consultation on it to eight weeks because it is a targeted consultation, given that it affects a narrower group of people. We will have further conversations tomorrow about the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme: Update
No, that refers not to the PPS but to other ways in which we can deliver front-line justice. Many organisations, particularly third-sector organisations, offer competent legal advice in a structure that is different from that which we normally focus on with individual legal practices. We want to make sure that their…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme: Update
There has been a significant reduction in fraud and error in the legal aid budget in recent years, and our accounts have made great progress over that time by bearing down on the elements of the legal aid system where there are errors. In the majority of cases, by the way, it is error rather than fraud. It is also…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme: Update
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