INQUIRY INTO THE DEVOLUTION OF POLICING AND JUSTICE

The Assembly and Executive Review Committee met today to hear from NIO officials who presented illustrative examples of the draft legislation which would be necessary to give effect to the devolution of policing and justice powers, if the Assembly were to make such a request.

The Committee also continued its discussions on the structure and accountability arrangements for the organisations within any new department of policing and justice.

The Committee is approaching the 29 February 2008 deadline for submitting a report to the Assembly on the preparations which the Assembly has made, and needs to make, to enable the devolution of policing and justice.

Note for Editor:
The Assembly and Executive Review Committee is a Standing Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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 meets in Parliament Buildings and visitors are welcome to attend open sessions. Members of the public are advised to check the website (archive.niassembly.gov.uk) 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.