‘INQUIRY ON DEVOLUTION OF POLICING AND JUSTICE MATTERS’

The Assembly and Executive Review Committee met today to discuss the options for a Ministerial model and procedures for filling Ministerial post/s for any new Department of Policing and Justice.

The parties represented on the Committee also discussed the structure of any new Department and resolved to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister on a number of issues. The Ministers will be asked for their views on the arrangements being made for the appointment of an Attorney General for Northern Ireland; the effect of the work of the proposed Efficiency Review Panel in relation to the number of Departments and Ministers in the Executive; and, the positioning of the Public Prosecution Service in a Department other than that which would take charge of policing and justice matters.

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 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.