Debate contribution: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Stephen Dunne on 9 June 2026.

MLA: Mr Stephen Dunne
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 5602175

Text

I thank the Minister and the Member for their interventions and their input. The Minister makes a valid point that there are challenges — I accept and appreciate that — but there is also an opportunity. As the Minister says, we can work with partner agencies. There is evidence and we all know that, where drug testing by the police is in place, there is a strong record of people testing positive for drug use. That is alarming and reinforces the need for us to do what we are doing in strengthening our legislation to bring drug testing into line with alcohol testing. We all know — it has already been touched on — about the ever-growing scourge that drugs are across our society and, ultimately, the danger that they have become. As was mentioned, that has come on to our roads, making them even more dangerous places for us, our friends and families and those whom we represent. I firmly believe that this is an opportunity to make drug testing on our roads an automatic and routine safeguard rather than a discretionary power, the use of which may depend on subjective thresholds or subsequent developments or circumstances. Making drug testing mandatory where a traffic offence or an accident occurs and making it a more common, routine practice is worthwhile and something that we can all get behind. Drug testing should be an automatic and routine part of any investigative process rather than a discretionary power, and amending legislation to that effect will ensure that police have access to all relevant evidence from the outset and that families across Northern Ireland are never left with unanswered questions at what is, obviously, such a traumatic time. Amendment No 74 will bring drug testing at authorised checkpoints into line with breath testing at authorised checkpoints under the current legislation. That will be an important tool to help the police prevent drug-driving on our roads, which, as we know, can have devastating consequences. Amendment No 75 seeks to further strengthen and bring clarity and consistency to that important issue. Under the provision in amendment No 75, a preliminary test "must" be administered if, as referenced in paragraphs (4) and (5) of article 17 of the 1995 Order, a traffic offence is committed, or, indeed, an accident occurs. The amendment is also important for confidence in our justice system, which depends on consistency, thoroughness and clarity. An important change of wording that is made through the amendments is that from "may" to "must" where paragraphs (4) and (5) of article 17 of the existing Road Traffic Order 1995 apply, which will remove any grey area, as my colleague Mr Frew referred to it, around the use of discretion. That is vital for victims and their families. I have engaged with organisations in a number of sectors, including the PSNI and Road Safe NI, the charity that does sterling work on such issues. It, too, has lent its support to the amendments, which I welcome. That group does a lot of important work with schoolchildren and young people, and I am pleased that they support the two amendments. My colleague Julie Middleton works closely with David Jackson from the charity, which operates across Northern Ireland, including in the area of the north-west that Julie Middleton proudly represents. I encourage Members to consider the amendments carefully. I commend them to the House and trust that they will be supported. There will be an opportunity, which the Minister alluded to, for further development work to ensure that any issues are worked through and that the provisions in the amendments can be utilised and delivered in the most effective way. I also support amendment No 90, tabled by Paul Frew, Patsy McGlone and Nuala McAllister, on the misuse of e-scooters and similar, motorcycle-like vehicles. It is becoming an increasingly significant issue right across Northern Ireland, including in my consistency of North Down. Constituents regularly raise concerns about the reckless and illegal use of e-scooters and scramblers on our roads, footpaths and parks and, indeed, in built-up, residential areas. What may appear to some as a nuisance can quickly become a serious public safety issue. I know that others have mentioned the serious issue of injuries and worse in recent days. I appreciate that the role and growth of e-scooters is a relatively new issue. Today is an important opportunity to ensure that the legislation is agile in order to reflect new realities and concerns that come forward. We see e-scooters being used on public roads by individuals, who are often young people, as has been referenced, with no licence, no insurance, little or no understanding of road safety and, in many cases, no regard whatsoever for any form of the Highway Code. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists are all being placed at unnecessary risk as a result of that. Many residents — particularly older people and families with young children — feel intimidated when such vehicles are driven recklessly through areas that are intended for public use. We see regular enforcement — I appreciate that this is through the Department for Infrastructure — when, for example, vehicles are parked in our town and city centres. Somebody can get a ticket if they are parked 10 minutes over the limit in a parking bay, yet we currently see little or no enforcement on the use of e-scooters. Again, the amendment will strengthen the enforcement tools available to agencies and improve public safety for all. Communities have the right to enjoy their neighbourhoods safely and without fear of injury or, indeed, antisocial behaviour. I welcome the amendment No 90, because the current requirement for police officers to issue a warning before seizing an illegally used e-scooter or scrambler can act as an unnecessary barrier to effective enforcement. Through the removal of that requirement, the Police Service will be better equipped to take swift action where dangerous or unlawful behaviour is taking place. It is about ensuring that the police have the practical powers necessary to tackle misuse. The word "misuse" is very important. It is not about the use of electronic scooters; it is about their misuse. That should be a key focus of the amendment. It is about protecting the public and allowing the police to respond effectively to growing concerns in our communities. It is a sensible, proportionate and common-sense measure that strengthens powers and improves public safety. It also sends a clear message that the Assembly is listening to our communities and that the misuse of e-scooters and scramblers will not be tolerated. I am therefore very pleased to support amendment No 90. I commend those Members who have worked collaboratively to bring it forward today. I trust that all the amendments in group 5 will be supported, including amendment Nos 74 and 75, to which I am very proud to put my name. Hopefully, they will progress, and the legislation will become known as Jaidyn's law, which would be a fitting tribute to Jaidyn Rice from Bangor, who just last year sadly lost her life aged 16.

1,180 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Awaiting analysis

This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification