Debate contribution: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage
Debate contribution by Ms Connie Egan on .
- MLA
- Ms Connie Egan
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 16 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- Justice Bill: Consideration Stage
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5625183
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I welcome the opportunity to make some remarks on the group of amendments from Minister Long relating to restorative justice schemes, rehabilitation periods for offenders and non-filterable offences from criminal record certificates. One of the markers of a truly successful and credible justice system lies in the approach taken with offenders following their offending behaviour. Each of the amendments, in its own way, influences and shapes the next steps of what comes either hand in hand with or following sentencing. Restorative justice is fundamental for bringing together those who have been affected by crime, balancing accountability for the offender with closure for the victims and witnesses. At its core, it is about repairing harm, but that would not be possible without effective partnership and third-party facilitation, so it is vital that those whom we entrust to undertake the processes are sensitive, skilled and the right match for the situation at hand. By passing amendment No 87 and placing a duty on the Justice Department to determine requirements for organisations and individuals seeking registration and accreditation to provide restorative services, we are embedding deeper credibility of that approach and recognising in law the importance of that practice for everyone across our society, particularly adult offenders. That transfer of relevant powers found in section 43 of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 is entirely welcome and, as the Minister pointed out, follows the Secretary of State's original agreement for transfer in 2019. The Justice Bill has presented the best and most emergent opportunity to put those provisions on the statute book in this mandate, particularly in the context of its shortened length. Amendment No 87 is also particularly welcome in the context of the steps that the Minister and the wider Executive have already taken to promote restorative justice across the region, including the 2022 publication of Northern Ireland's first adult restorative justice strategy (ARJS). That, alongside an independent review of the 2007 restorative justice protocol, sent a strong message about how serious we are about this. It is clear that the result of that review and the publication of a revised protocol in the summer of 2023 have influenced much of the amendment's content, expanding opportunities for individuals rather than organisations alone, creating mechanisms for reporting from those accredited practitioners and the adaptation of the role of CJINI to complete post-accreditation checks. I recognise that, during the Committee Stage, the role of CJINI was debated at length, with concerns put forward that the inspectorate should be involved in the initial accreditation process rather than the monitoring and evaluation of ongoing practice alone. In that vein, Alliance is also content with that amendment as, when asked, the chief inspector made clear the preference for the Department's proposed model and CJINI's active involvement in its design. I thank officials who came before the Committee to discuss the underpinning practice standards and accreditation framework to ensure consistent quality of practice. There has been strong engagement on that in parallel with the Bill. In summary, amendment No 87 is welcome as we work together across the Executive to ensure that minimum standards are in place for accredited organisations and individuals delivering restorative justice work. Alliance also welcomes amendment Nos 92 and 93 from Minister Long to amend article 6 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. Reducing the rehabilitation periods for existing convictions and expanding the list of those that can become spent will help former offenders integrate into the community and wider society. Rehabilitating offenders is essential in the work to create a safer society for everyone, and, while I know that the Minister has already outlined her detailed consideration of that, I draw particular attention to the clear public and service provider support that her Department has received to bring it forward. Rehabilitation periods have remained largely unchanged since they were first introduced in 1978, and the Department's 2021 consultation received support from 97% of respondents for their reduction, recognising the benefits that it can bring in helping previous offenders find employment and a life beyond the justice system. Deliberations during Committee Stage also found support across various organisations, including the Policing Board, Victim Support, the National Crime Agency and the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders. The approach outlined is proportionate and evidenced, and we welcome it entirely. I will now set out the Alliance Party's support for amendment Nos 94, 95 and 129, which amend section 113A of the Police Act 1997 to include a new and more user-friendly list of non-filterable offences in Northern Ireland for AccessNI standard and enhanced checks. Alliance welcomes the streamlining of arrangements for the list of specified offences. AccessNI plays an important role in public protection, community safety and safeguarding our most vulnerable. For that reason, the arrangements that govern it must be as straightforward and practicable as possible to navigate. The Minister's amendments achieve that.
819 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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