Debate contribution: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage

Debate contribution by Ms Kate Nicholl on 8 June 2026.

MLA: Ms Kate Nicholl
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 8 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5600939

Text

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I will not take that long. I start by thanking Aoibheann and Jack from Rathmore Grammar School and Joel from Bangor Grammar School who helped with my research for this speech. I am delighted to speak on amendment Nos 45 to 48, as they deal with a major issue that greatly affects our communities. As the Minister noted, Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK with no bespoke organised crime legislation, despite the unfortunate deeply embedded nature of it in our society. The proposed amendments create much-needed clarity for our criminal justice system and empower it to identify and take action against organised crime and those who engage in such activity across Northern Ireland. We all know that organised crime groups cause enormous harm to people in Northern Ireland, and generations have been exploited by such groups. The proposed amendments seek to address the legacy of organised crime in our communities and stop the exploitation of communities that leads to educational underachievement, family breakdown, substance abuse and so much more. With the appropriate amendments to make the legislation work in practice, it will provide a pragmatic approach to combating organised crime and ensuring that those involved face repercussions. It must be remembered that this is a real issue affecting real people in our communities. I know that the Minister of Justice is passionate about addressing this and, as such, it should be dealt with practically and efficiently. The amendments set out what specifically constitutes organised crime, which can take many forms, and define and specify and empower and ensure that organised crime can be dealt with effectively, called out and not allowed to fall under the radar. I want to touch on a few other things. I really enjoyed Mr Frew's explanation of the vagrancy laws. He really brought it to life, and there was a wonderful historical context behind it. I really enjoy his contributions, even in length. In case there was any misconception about what I said, I clarify that I support amendment No 75. Dismantling trafficking infrastructure is very important. When we as legislators look at amendments, we need to make sure that we consider their full impact. There are some very vulnerable women out there who could be made more vulnerable. It was just to put that on the record. I appreciate the work that has been done, and I know that the Minister has done a lot in the Department. This is my final point. I told my group that I was going to speak for only a minute on organised crime, but I just have to touch on the blasphemy laws. Repealing them is about protecting against religious persecution and bringing us into line with the rest of the UK. As you know, dead law can be revived at any time. The Assembly may not always have such sensible, compassionate people in it, so our laws have to reflect our values and what we want. Everyone in the House wants to protect against religious persecution, and that is what this really is about: making sure that blasphemy laws do not violate against the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and freedom of religious belief. It is so important that we are brought into line. I thank my colleague Connie Egan, who has done so much work on the issue, I thank the Minister for being so passionate, and I thank everyone who intends to support the amendment. Finally, there is so much important work in the Justice Bill, and this is the work that we are meant to do. I thank the Justice Minister for all her work and other Members for tabling amendments. We started the day having conversations that may not reflect all of us, as happens when we get into the politics. This, however, is our job: it is about shaping our laws and creating a future for the next generation. When the Assembly looks to the future and at how we can craft laws that will make life better for everyone in this society, that is when we are doing the real work and our real job. I thank everyone involved in the Bill, but especially my party leader, the Minister of Justice.

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

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