Clause 19 — Department with policing and justice functions

Part of Orders of the Day — Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill – in the House of Commons at 1:45 pm on 20 April 2006.

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Photo of Mark Durkan Mark Durkan Leader of the Social Democratic & Labour Party 1:45, 20 April 2006

I listened carefully to the hon. Lady's presentation of the amendment. I am in no way persuaded to offer it any support. I shall give a number of grounds for that. First, in the negotiation of the Good Friday agreement, a clear, deliberate, collective decision was made that we would not build in any vetting requirements, qualification or screening in relation to ministerial appointments. To use this Bill to do so now would take us on a path that departs from the spirit, the letter and the principle of the Good Friday agreement.