25 September 2007
AER 02- 07/08
‘INQUIRY ON DEVOLUTION OF POLICING AND JUSTICE MATTERS’
The Assembly and Executive Review Committee, which is conducting an Inquiry into the transfer of policing and justice matters to Northern Ireland, met today to hear evidence from the Northern Ireland Court Service.
The Court Service is the first of a number of organisations who will give evidence to the Inquiry over the next six weeks.
Speaking after the meeting today, the Rt. Hon. Jeffrey Donaldson, MP, Chairperson of the Committee said:
“The Committee explored a number of issues with the Court Service including the future structure of the Courts Service and how it might relate to a Department of Justice, and the preparations the Court Service has been making in relation to the prospect of policing and justice matters being transferred.
Mr Donaldson went on to say,
“Next week, the Committee will hear from the Lord Chief Justice, the Policing Board and the Secretary of State and it may also invite further witnesses during the course of the Inquiry”.
The Committee is expected to report by February 2008 on the preparations which the Assembly has made, and needs to make, to facilitate the devolution of policing and justice matters.
Note for Editor:
The Northern Ireland Assembly has established a Standing Committee known as the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.
Membership of the Committee is as follows:
Chairperson: |
Rt. Hon. Jeffrey Donaldson, MP |
Deputy Chairperson: |
Mr Raymond McCartney |
Committee Members: |
Mr Alex Attwood |
|
Mrs Carmel Hanna |
|
Mr Danny Kennedy |
|
Mr Nelson McCausland |
|
Mr Ian McCrea |
|
Mr Alan McFarland |
|
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín |
|
Mr John O’Dowd |
|
Mr George Robinson |
The Committee will meet in Parliament Buildings and visitors are welcome to attend open sessions. Members of the public are advised to check the website for details of meetings prior to arriving at Parliament Buildings.
For further information on the work of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, please contact:
Sinead Lee
Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office,
Room B2, Parliament Buildings,
Belfast BT4 3XX.
Telephone 028 90521137/521396.
Fax 028 90521961.