Ford resignation offer should trigger discussion on Executive reform
∙Reject Alliance brinkmanship
∙Reduce number of Ministries ∙Negotiate adequate safeguards for Justice
The Alliance Party’s offer to stand down from Ministry of Justice appears to be based more on self interest than in any necessity to rescue the devolution of policing and justice. In an act of brinkmanship the Alliance suggest that only they can satisfy a cross community nominee. This need not be the case.
“It is clear that we have too many Ministries, many of which are small with overlapping responsibilities. We should take the opportunity presented by the sunset clause surrounding the Ministry for Justice to reduce the number of Ministries. There is scope to combine DEL, DETI and DCAL. DSD and DRD might also be combined.”
“Such a reduction would streamline government and provide for a tighter group of Ministers, able to work together. This arrangement would more adequately reflect the spirit of the Belfast Agreement.”
“Of course there will be huge concerns regarding the Minister for Justice, but we must address these concerns for the long term by devising adequate safeguards which command public confidence and support. We have more than enough time to do this now.”
“In such an event the Alliance Party, like everybody else, would have to compete for a Ministerial position on the basis of electoral support.”
Generous prison officer package must deliver change
In an effort to reform the Prison Service, the DoJ has offered a generous voluntary redundancy package for serving prison officers. UUP Justice Spokesperson Basil McCrea warns that people must remember this package has been offered as part of a program for much-needed prison reform.
Mr McCrea said: “Nobody can doubt the commitment of prison officers and the challenges they faced in the past. The type of prison that is now required is not the same as what was needed in the past. It is right and proper that those prison officers who wish to leave are able to do so with dignity. I believe this package allows that.”
“We must convince the wider public that a more modern prison system is required to reduce costs to the public purse and to reduce the number of prisoners re-offending. Victims of crime in particular will want to be re-assured that any changes are for the better.”
