Debate contribution: Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Peter McReynolds on 16 March 2026.

MLA: Mr Peter McReynolds
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 16 March 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5448929

Text

I welcome this important Bill and do so as chair of the all-party group on road safety, the Alliance Party infrastructure spokesperson and a sitting member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. As the Justice Minister and the Chair of the Justice Committee have detailed, the Bill's importance cannot be overstated. The Bill covers a wide range of areas, and, today, I will focus on two areas that we can all agree on: road safety and the safety of those who serve the public. Despite our political differences, road safety is a cause that regularly unites the Chamber. Every Member here knows a family that has been affected. That shared understanding is why I regularly speak on the issue and why, as chair of the all-party group on road safety, I have made Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson's attendance a core part of how our all-party group functions, bringing us face to face with the trends, the data and the "fatal five": carelessness, speeding, phone use, seat belts and drink- and drug-driving. Last Christmas, the PSNI ran Operation Lifesaver, and it chose that time of the year because the holiday season, of all times, sees too many people willing to take a risk with substances that impair their driving. I also attended the launch of a dedicated drug-driving campaign at which the Infrastructure Minister spoke, because drug-driving is a growing threat that has no place on our roads. Driving under the influence is not a mistake; it is a choice, and a selfish one at that. It gambles with lives that are not yours to gamble with. Increasing the maximum sentence for causing death or harm while under the influence is so important, because it gives the maximum punishment that such an offence deserves. I welcome that, and for those who repeat such a dangerous and terrible offence, the Bill will also include provision for a possible life sentence, which, I believe, is entirely appropriate, because we simply cannot allow those willing to gamble with the lives of others to remain on our roads. I say that because behind every one of those cases is a family that did not choose to become campaigners. They were made campaigners through loss, and I pay tribute to the Dolan, Gallagher and McCarragher families for the persistence and courage that they have shown over the years. I now turn my attention to another focus of the Bill: the new penalties for attacks on those performing public services. Our blue-light workers run towards the emergencies that the rest of us run from. When they are attacked, the harm does not end with them but with the next person who dials 999 and finds that there is one fewer officer or paramedic who is able to respond. We ask everything of these workers. The Bill seeks to reflect what we owe them in return. Additionally, the sentencing Bill extends to people who work in retail and hospitality. I think that we can all get fully behind that. The Bill sends a strong message that crime against anyone who works in a public service will not be tolerated. That should be welcomed by all in the Chamber. I hope that Members across the Chamber will join me in supporting the Bill, the changes that it proposes and the difference that it will make for everyone.

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

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