Clause 1
Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill
11:15 am
The Minister must appreciate that for some of us there is a bigger risk to the administration of justice, which comes from the powers being used in a capricious way, but no one can test what that risk is. The public in Northern Ireland have been astounded at the withdrawal of prosecutions, with the DPP’s stated reason being the public interest. People do not believe that that has delivered due administration of justice. The Minister referred to the extensive consultation on the legislation and to the views received from my party. Will he say whether Sinn Fein has accepted the provisions? Has it agreed, or will the Minister change his tune if Sinn Fein wakes up and suddenly say that it is worried about them?