Marshalled List of Amendments

23 March 2012

Item 4:  Order Paper 60/11-15 – 27 March 2012

Private Members’ Business - Motions

Motion: Review of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

That this Assembly registers its concerns in relation to the quality and reliability of evidence provided by assisting offenders under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, as witnessed in the recent supergrass trial, and the subsequent undermining of confidence in the administration of justice; believes that it is essential that the criminal justice system operates in a transparent manner which respects the rights and entitlements of all citizens and engenders maximum public confidence in our policing and justice systems; and calls on the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General to use their powers to call for an immediate review of the operation of the legislation.

[Ms J McCann]
[Mr R McCartney]
[Mr S Lynch]

The Speaker has selected the following amendments for debate:

Amendment 1

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘offenders’ and insert:

‘in the recent trial which used evidence under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, and the subsequent undermining of confidence in the administration of justice; recognises that assisting offenders can be a powerful tool in the fight against serious and organised crime; believes that it is essential that the criminal justice system operates in a transparent manner which respects the rights and entitlements of all citizens, protects the public against criminals and engenders maximum public confidence in our policing and justice systems; and calls on the Minister of Justice to ensure that there are positive working relationships between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Public Prosecution Service in the operation of the legislation, and that adequate accountability measures are in place.’

[Mr B McCrea]
[Mr R Hussey]
[Mr R Beggs]

Amendment 2

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘2005’ and insert:

‘in the Tommy English murder trial, and the subsequent undermining of confidence in the administration of justice; believes that it is essential that the criminal justice system operates in a transparent manner which respects the rights and entitlements of all citizens and engenders maximum public confidence in our policing and justice systems; and calls on the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General to use their powers to call for an immediate review of the operational decisions taken in the aforementioned murder trial and the role of the Independent Oversight Panel in the police investigation.’

[Mr P Givan]
[Mr J Craig]
[Mr P Weir]