Debate contribution: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage

Debate contribution by Ms Emma Sheerin on 15 June 2026.

MLA: Ms Emma Sheerin
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 15 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5615451

Text

I thank the Member for giving way. This is completely pointless, given that you have allowed yourself to be used as a pawn in the DUP's game and used the POC to block this progressive amendment. You have repeated your insult here several times, and I believe that you said something in the media when you effectively said that the likes of me, Ms Mulholland and Mr McGlone were not fit to legislate for people. I remind the Member that all of us have the right to be here, engaging in the process. Advice that is based on the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) states that member states should have a minimum age of criminal responsibility of at least 14. You talk about "ill-thought-out" legislation. That is advice from experts in law relating to the protection of children. If you are going to throw around insults, wail away, but consider that the evidence is stacked against you.
I am sure it is listening.

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

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