Inquiry Into The Devolution Of Policing And Justice Matters

The Assembly and Executive Review Committee met today to hear from Mr PJ Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Irish Court Service, and Professor John Jackson, Queen’s University Belfast with regard to the ‘Inquiry into the devolution of policing and justice’.

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

“The Committee had asked for a briefing from the two ‘expert witnesses’ to inform its consideration of the governance and accountability mechanisms which might apply in any new department of policing and justice”.

Mr Donaldson also confirmed that the Committee would be hearing from the Chief Constable, the NIO, and officials from OFMdFM on 8 January.

The Committee is required 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.