North/South:Irish justice system
Friday, July 9th, 2010With everyday law and order now run from Belfast and Dublin for the first time since 1972, agendaNi reviews the main parts of the Republic’s justice system. Police An Garda Síochána Founded by Michael Collins as an unarmed force in 1922, following the disbandment of the Royal Irish Constabulary, the Garda became a national force when the Dublin Metropolitan Police merged with it in 1925. It is responsible for the Republic’s national security as well as the traditional crime investigation, public order and road safety duties. The Commissioner handles the day-to- day management...[full story]
Infrastructure:Update
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010Two years into ISNI2, Northern Ireland’s residents are seeing the first fruits of its most extensive infrastructure programme, whether on the drive along the Westlink, waiting for treatment in the Downe Hospital or being taught in the redeveloped Grosvenor Grammar School, in east Belfast. While most projects in the three key areas we have selected have been completed or are on target, delays have also crept up e.g. at the Gransha mental health centre outside Derry or the Ballee Road East dual carriageway outside Ballymena. Fiscally, the Executive’s spending plans for 2010-2011 do...[full story]
Justice:Advising government
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010In the early hours of the morning on 12 April, the Attorney General for England and Wales ceased to hold that authority over Northern Ireland. On 24 May John Larkin QC became the first Attorney General for Northern Ireland since Basil Kelly held the position in 1972. In the intervening years the British Attorney General has effectively held two posts; for England and Wales and for Northern Ireland. Unlike our closest neighbours across the Irish Sea, the post is set aside for an individual who is not a member of the government. In Scotland, for example, the equivalent Lord Advocate is...[full story]
Justice:Clearing up the bills
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010Financial pain is on the way for the devolved justice system, if Northern Ireland does not get a grip on its legal aid bill, Dominic Grieve warned on the general election trail. The Conservatives also planned to solve the vexed bill of rights dispute by giving Northern Ireland a place in a national version. Grieve spoke to agendaNi as Shadow Justice Secretary on the election campaign trail. Ken Clarke was appointed to the post in Cameron’s new cabinet with Grieve becoming Attorney- General, the Government’s chief legal advisor. MP for Beaconsfield and a barrister by background, he...[full story]
2010 manifestos:Law & order
Friday, May 14th, 2010As the parties set out their priorities for policing and justice locally, immigration is the national focus. Despite justice being the most recently devolved area to the Northern Ireland Assembly, Parliament will retain power over politically and legally sensitive areas such as national security and the work of the UK Border Agency. DUP Improving the risk management of sex offenders, tackling domestic abuse, knife crime, and alcohol and drug related crime, would be priorities. The 403 officers currently involved in criminal justice units need to be moved onto the streets. A greater number...[full story]
Justice:After the transfer
Friday, May 14th, 2010As justice powers go back to Stormont, Peter Cheney looks at what lies ahead for local law and order. A reminder of Northern Ireland’s darkest days heralded the arrival of justice powers in the province in the early minutes of 12 April. Arguably, the dissidents were first to respond to the devolution of justice and their bombing at Palace Barracks, 24 minutes after the move, undoubtedly influenced the Stormont debate taking place later that day. Cross-community support was the hurdle on which two nominees for the justice post fell. Neither Danny Kennedy nor Alban Maginness received...[full story]
Politics:An opportune visit
Monday, April 5th, 2010The annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Washington conveniently came on the back of the devolution of policing and justice thus giving the province’s leaders a bargaining mechanism to entice prospective US investors. Meadhbh Monahan reports. “Everyone who is anyone” in the Northern Ireland political and economic scene received a warm welcome at the White House on St Patrick’s Day, despite President Barack Obama’s preoccupation with getting his health reform bill passed by Congress. During a hectic week in the President’s calendar, Obama took time to meet the First...[full story]
Policing & justice:Back to normal
Monday, April 5th, 2010As Stormont prepares to control law and order, as was originally intended, agendaNi analyses justice devolution and the surrounding dispute. One of the early intelligence reports about Northern Ireland’s Troubles reportedly noted that both communities had long memories and short tempers. Both attitudes were clearly in evidence as the Assembly voted through its formal request for justice powers on 9 March. Historians, with long memories, will no doubt recall a precedent. Justice powers were not automatically granted to the first Northern Ireland Parliament, when it was formed in 1921;...[full story]
Policing & justice:The deal unpacked
Monday, March 8th, 2010agendaNi unpacks the Hillsborough Agreement and the early steps after its launch. Launched with less hype than its predecessors, the Hillsborough Agreement is the product of two weeks of gruelling negotiations in the castle, while the media mostly looked on from the wintry outside. This latest step in the political process is now public for anyone to read and comment on, although given the efforts which led to its creation, some have cast doubt on whether it will now be amended. Essentially, the four major subjects which feature highly in the agreement and its aftermath are: justice...[full story]
