“The statement by the Alliance Party that they will be putting forward a candidate for the post of Justice Minister reinforces the DUP position that SF will not hold the Justice Ministry.
This exposes the scaremongering and lies from some of the DUP’s opponents that Gerry Kelly or any other SF member would be appointed as Justice Minister. DUP negotiations ensured that any Justice Minister will have to be appointed by cross-community vote ensuring unionism must agree to any appointment.
The Alliance Party’s nomination will obviously receive careful consideration by all parties within the Assembly. It is a welcome step forward that Alliance is keen to play a constructive and positive role within the Executive.
There have been many attempts to spread confusion and doubt over what the reality of returning these powers to Stormont will actually look like. Whenever devolution occurs, we can begin to get to grips with our justice system and make improvements where they are needed. There is certainly significant work to be done in key areas.
Tackling issues which Direct Rule justice Ministers have not dealt with like establishing a more victim centred justice system, examining the scope for strengthening the sentencing regime, developing a cross departmental approach to responding to problems like drugs and anti-social behaviour, and the capacity to prioritise resources where we believe they are most required are what we should be looking to make a real difference with.
Surely there can be no one who would disagree that there is a need for Northern Ireland solutions to Northern Ireland’s own justice problems and that the best people to find and deliver those solutions are Northern Ireland people.
The DUP has ensured that the devolution of Policing & Justice powers can take place on a sound footing. We secured additional resources for the Police and the Courts, £20 million for former Part-Time Reserve Officers, and additional money for hearing loss claims and have ensured there will be no Sinn Fein control of policing and justice.
We will be continuing in our ongoing process of consultation with the community across the Province to ensure that the voices from people right across Northern Ireland are heard on this issue. However, we have ensured that devolution can take place on unionist terms. Those who would refer to the return of Justice powers to Stormont as anti-British are actually saying that devolution is anti-British. They should come clean and say how they will secure what we are securing while not doing what we are doing."
