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.
When staff are being recruited to the Northern Ireland Civil Service, they have the option of indicating on the application form if they have a disability. At any stage following recruitment, staff may update their HR records to declare a disability. As of 1 January 2024, 148 employees in the Department of Justice had…
Again, it is part of the overall programme of improvements. I know that there is ongoing work at the courthouse on Bishop Street. There was, at one stage, a plan for an entirely new facility for the north-west. However, we have been able to obtain — potentially — additional land, which will allow us to instead look at…
No decision has been made on any courthouse that is part of the overall implementation of the estate strategy. There will, of course, be difficult decisions that need to be taken with respect to all the facilities that we have. However, any proposal to either reduce or change the operation of courthouses will be…
Enniskillen courthouse is currently designated as a hearing centre and is opened for three days per week, primarily for the delivery of Magistrates' Court business. In recent years, investments in the building have included internal and external redecoration works and an upgrade to the custody suite ventilation…
I thank the Member for acknowledging that this is a sensitive issue, because it is the first time that it has been acknowledged in the course of the questioning. Instead of trying to divide people, to other people and to further diminish and marginalise people, it is our job in the Prison Service to treat every person…
I am not sure what the Member understands by the word "squandering", but it does not seem to match what he is actually talking about. It is not my job as Justice Minister to comment on headlines in newspapers. It is my job to ensure that the Justice Department does all in its power to ensure that, irrespective of how…
I am disappointed by the tone that the Member has adopted with regard to the issue. Referring to trans people as adopting a predator's charter is scurrilous. Many of those who are trans in our system are among the most vulnerable people in the prison system and, far from being predators, are predated upon. It is…
With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 3 and 12 together. I believe that both questions have been prompted by erroneous reporting of a recent court case and wish to clarify the position. An application for leave to issue a writ of habeas corpus was lodged, alleging that an applicant's detention at…
We do not outsource responsibility for housing prisoners on behalf of the Prison Service. People are committed to prison on remand or on the basis of full-time committal, and they are housed in the Prison Service estate. There are, of course, pressures in the prison estate, but I can say that, currently, accommodation…
If the Member is unclear on the tripartite arrangements that pertain to the oversight of policing and justice, I am more than happy to meet her to explain them. In the interim, however, I will not enter into anything that would cut across the responsibilities of the Policing Board or those of the Chief Constable. My…
The management of the PSNI estate, including custody suites, is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, who is accountable to the Northern Ireland Policing Board. As I am committed to respecting the operational independence of the Chief Constable and the role of the board, I suggest that you direct your…
That issue is raised with me perennially. I have said before to the Member, who often raises it, that the solution will come from outside in, not from inside out. The threat that is posed by those who are granted access to the separated regime by the Secretary of State is managed carefully in the prison. Increasingly,…
I thank my colleague for the question. The new legislation is intended to demonstrate the important commitment of law enforcement to specifically tackle serious organised crime by ensuring that it has additional legislative tools available. It is also intended to send a strong message that no individuals are deemed to…
The particular recommendation from the Independent Reporting Commission to which the Member refers is a matter for the UK and Irish Governments, not the Department of Justice. As far as I am concerned, anyone who is engaged in criminal activity should cease that activity now and needs no further assistance to do so.…
My officials and I have regular discussions with our colleagues in the UK and Irish Governments on matters relating to ending the harm caused by paramilitarism. The Independent Reporting Commission has an important role in reporting on progress towards that objective, and I welcome its positive feedback on the work of…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Member has just asserted that I designated as a unionist. That is factually incorrect. I have never designated as a unionist in the House. For clarity, a few members of my party designated as unionist for 24 hours: I never have.
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I know that Mr Buckley is, perhaps, not as long in the tooth as I am — he is grateful for that, I am sure — but I just remind him that we designated as unionist, not as nationalist.
I respect the fact that, for the Member, it is the fundamental basis on which her politics are built. It may be so for a majority in the House, but can she equally respect the fact that those of us who do not take a position on the constitutional question are not just undecided but have made a conscious choice not to…
The Member said that it ensures fairness. Will she explain how it is fair to those of us who do not designate as "Unionist" or "Nationalist"? She said that it ensures stability. Will she explain how the veto mechanism has ever ensured the stability of this place, given that it has been closed down almost as often as…
I will walk through a Lobby tonight on the basis of what I believe and stand for. You are no more the DUP's little helper than I am anybody else's little helper. The Member would do well to extend to other people the courtesy that he would expect to be extended to him. I find it outrageous that I have been accused of…