1. Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Justice for her assessment of the reported comments of the chair of the Catholic Police Guild of Northern Ireland that legacy is a major issue for Catholics joining the PSNI. (AQO 1750/22-27)

The PSNI has published the final number of applications received, with just under 30% of applications from members of the Catholic community. Whilst that is comparable to previous campaigns, I would wish to see figures more reflective of the wider community. It is therefore important that we listen to and learn from the lived experience of those from minority communities who have served and are serving in the PSNI.

The reported comments of the chair of the Catholic Police Guild of Northern Ireland indicate that legacy issues continue to influence the decision to apply to the police amongst a range of other considerations. I emphasise once again that it is incumbent on us all, as elected representatives, to encourage members of our community to consider joining the PSNI and to help to create the societal conditions where that is most likely to occur.

I have been encouraged by the number of applications received and wish those who have applied success with their applications. It can only be a positive for Northern Ireland if we have a Police Service that truly represents the diversity of the community that it serves.

I thank the Minister for her answer. I reiterate my party's desire to see a Police Service that is truly representative of the community that it is here to serve and protect. Threats from so-called republicans to deter Catholics from joining certainly do not help. Does the Minister believe that the UK Government recognise the damage being caused by their handling of legacy to confidence in the rule of law?

It is difficult for me to give an opinion on that because I cannot speak for the UK Government. I have, of course, publicly shared my concerns about the approach taken, which will impact across the board not just on confidence in policing but on confidence in the wider justice system. That is of concern to all of us in the House. What the UK Government do is, sadly, outwith my responsibilities and powers, but I stress the importance of considering the impact of those issues on our contemporary justice system and on public confidence in it.

Minister, do you agree that other factors affect the number of Catholics and Catholic representation, importantly, at every level. Do you agree that we need to see better representation not just in the numbers and percentages but at every level in the PSNI?

There are two schools of thought on why people are deterred from membership of the PSNI or, indeed, progression. The first is that there is a fundamental flaw in the organisation's recruitment practices. The bald numbers of applications and successful applicants suggest that that is not the case. There is a wider issue, and that is one of attrition over time: people, because of threats received, intimidation, the disconnect between their community and the work that they do, find it difficult to maintain their working arrangements. As a society, we need to consider that. If, however, there is evidence of a culture in the organisation that militates against career progression through that organisation or against people wanting to remain in the organisation, we should not be blind to that issue. We should address it, look at it carefully and ensure that that is no longer the case.

When discussing legacy and its impact on police recruitment, will the Minister give her assessment of the disgraceful conduct of the Police Ombudsman, Mrs Anderson? Despite numerous requests from my colleague the Chair of the Justice Committee, Joanne Bunting, she continues to hold up a report on the Kingsmills massacre — an atrocity that resulted in 10 innocent workmen losing their lives on the side of the road and the sole survivor, Alan Black, being left with life-limiting injuries. Minister, do you believe that two-tiered justice has infected the ombudsman's office?

There are two things. First, I do not accept that there is two-tiered justice in the ombudsman's office. Secondly, it is not a matter for me to comment on how and when the ombudsman issues her reports. I am aware that she is processing a number of legacy reports. There is a deadline for those to be issued, and she intends to comply with the deadline. Beyond that, I suggest that the Member take up his issue with the ombudsman.

Does the Minister agree that the racist commentary on social media during the recent recruitment campaign was completely unacceptable?

Absolutely. It was disappointing to see the response to the small number of adverts that showed racial diversity in the PSNI. The reaction to those was incredibly disappointing for those of us who wish to see a more inclusive, more representative Police Service. Let us be clear: an inclusive and representative Police Service will also be more effective and more able to connect with members of the public whom it serves and seeks to protect.

It has also been a disgrace to see the many anti-PSNI posters that appeared during that campaign and threats to new officers in the community. Those are wider issues that we need to look at as a society. We do not see those things happening solely with regard to the police, but it is incredibly disappointing when they do.

Will the Minister assure us today that there will be no return to discrimination on the basis of 50:50 recruitment?

I am not convinced that we have reached the point where we need to reconsider the introduction of 50:50 recruitment. However, the Member will be aware that, as the Minister, I must remain open to that request should it be presented to me by the Policing Board or the Chief Constable. When previously utilised, it was linked to a severance scheme. Of course, that was established as a temporary measure to hasten the restructuring of the policing at that time. We are in a different arrangement now. As I say, I did not support it at that time, and I do not see a need for it at this time.