Debate contribution: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Paul Frew on 9 June 2026.

MLA

Mr Paul Frew

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

9 June 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Executive Committee Business

Heading

Justice Bill: Consideration Stage

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5602088

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I agree 100% with the Minister. I will not be hard on parents, because those vehicles are the next new, shiny thing, and children say, "I want, I want, I want". We all know how hard it is to parent. We also know how much children crave things, especially if their mates have them, but that can add to the danger, because, in groups, children tend to go a wee bit wild at times. There is a bigger danger from having groups of children on scramblers. The Minister makes a really valid point. Young Joshua will recover, but, if he had been hit on the head, he could be dead now. There have been cases involving off-road vehicles in which young people, even in my area of Ballymena, have died, so it is really important that we grapple with the issue. I say this to adults who buy such vehicles to get from A to B and to commute: think about what you are doing and about how you use them. Please drive them safely, if you have to drive them all, because you are in breach of the law. Be aware that the Republic of Ireland, among other jurisdictions, has gone down the road of regulation. There was a hue and cry among owners of such scooters when the regulations came out. Most of the scooters that were purchased prior to the regulations being introduced did not make the grade and were deemed not fit for the road. There is therefore a real issue that someone could purchase a scooter this week or next week, only for the Department to decide to do something by way of regulations. I may be pre-empting what happens in the future. We may not go down the regulation route, because there may be other ways, such as prohibition. It is a really important matter, however, and people need to be wise to the dangers on our roads. It is not right or fair that a driver who is being diligent, careful and safe could be driving along a road, when, the next minute, someone darts out on a scooter and is hit. Think of the trauma that that would cause the driver, not least because of the injuries sustained by the person on the scooter. Think of the trauma that would live with that driver for the rest of their life for having, through no fault of their own, hit and caused grievous harm to them. It is really important that the Assembly grapple with such issues, so I pay tribute to Patsy McGlone and Nuala McAllister for working on amendment No 90 to change article 65 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 for:

"vehicles used in manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance".

If amendment No 90 passes, we will have removed from article 65 paragraphs (4) and (5) , which are about police powers of seizure without issuing a warning. It is really important that the Assembly support the three amendments in group 5, and I hope that it does. We tabled them because we think that they represent good law and are good for public safety. The Assembly is at its best when it creates such law at pace while knowing that it is the right law, especially when it is supported by all parties. Thank you for giving me the time to speak, Mr Deputy Speaker.

568 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:52 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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