PRESS RELEASE

12 June 2007

AER 02/07

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE TO LAUNCH AN INQUIRY INTO THE TRANSFER OF POLICING AND JUSTICE MATTERS

The Assembly and Executive Review Committee, which last week was asked by the Assembly to prepare a report by February 2008 on the preparations that the Assembly has made on the transfer of policing and justice matters, met, today, to discuss how it plans to approach this work.

Speaking after the meeting, the Rt. Hon. Jeffrey Donaldson, MP, Chairperson of the Committee, said:

“This is going to be a key element of the work of the Committee for the foreseeable future. Members are aware that some work was done on this by both the Committee on the Preparation for Government and the Committee on the Programme for Government and this will be the starting point for our consideration of this important work. The Committee agreed that it should proceed with a formal inquiry into the transfer of policing and justice matters, before the summer recess and that it would call for submissions in due course.”

Mr Donaldson also confirmed that the Committee had begun to look at the question of multiple mandates and whether the existing arrangements whereby members of the Northern Ireland Assembly can hold concurrent positions as Councillors, Westminster MPs, Members of the House of Lords, MEPs or positions in other legislatures should continue. Mr Donaldson said:

“The return of devolution and the demands of attending Councils, Westminster and the European Parliament place a heavy burden on many of our politicians. The Committee is also aware of calls which have been made for some sort of rationalisation that would help deliver scrutiny and accountability in a more efficient, and effective, way.”

Mr Donaldson also explained that:
“At a time of significant upheaval in local government, it will be important to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of experienced politicians available to manage that change.”

Note for Editor:
The Northern Ireland Assembly has established a Standing Committee to be known as the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.

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:
Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office,
Room B2, Parliament Buildings,
Belfast BT4 3XX.
Telephone 028 90521137/521396.
Fax 028 90521961.