Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill
9:45 pm
Sammy Wilson (East Antrim, DUP)
I am confused by the signals that the Minister is sending. He is saying that he wishes to have time to reflect, but prior to that he told us that if we do not have trial in absentia we will—to use his own words—risk failing in this whole venture. He also told us that if we do not have trial in absentia, we will not have any trials at all in many cases. Which message is the Minister sending out: that he wishes to be accommodating, or that he believes that the provision is so essential that the Bill will fail without it?