Clause 1

Part of Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 6:00 pm on 16 January 2007.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Sammy Wilson Sammy Wilson Shadow Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government), Shadow Spokesperson (Education) 6:00, 16 January 2007

I return to the point that I made at the start, which is that the reason why many would want the Minister to have input is exactly so he could influence. If that were ever introduced, the devolution of policing would be made that much more difficult. In his own remarks the hon. Gentleman indicated that it was a divisive issue in Northern Ireland and the fact that he said that, were it to be subject to a cross-community vote it would not get through the Assembly, shows that it is still a confidence issue. For that reason, the Bill’s approach is correct and we shall support the clause.