Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill
10:30 am
Lembit Öpik (Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Affairs; Montgomeryshire, Liberal Democrat)
May I be the next, Sir Nicholas, to welcome you the Chair? I thank you for taking the time to preside over our discussions. I know from past experience that you are an ambassador for constructive deliberation, and I shall do my best to live up to your expectations for positive engagement with the Government and others.
I thank the Minister for saying that he will listen to our suggestions. I have no doubt that on this occasion at least the Government will accept some Opposition amendments. Ultimately, that will be the best proof that the Minister has broken the mould of the monolith that we have come to know as the Northern Ireland ministerial team.
Finally, I have no problem with the timetable. I may not always share the Minister’s optimism about Government timetables being cast in stone. The good news is that if we are not able to complete our activities in the time allocated, the Minister merely has to say that all the conditions for an extension have been met and we can continue for up to eight further years, as happened with the peace process itself.
I hope that we can finish our work within the eight sittings available. The Bill is not profoundly controversial. I therefore hope that the relatively minor suggestions that the Liberal Democrats wish to make will be regarded in a positive light, as we intend.