McNulty challenges Legacy Bill at Justice Committee

Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty, who is the SDLP’s representative on the NI Assembly Justice Committee, has said that he was “not satisfied” by the answers provided to him by the Department of Justice, and will be seeking further clarity from the Justice Minister.

Mr. McNulty said: “The so-called Legacy Bill gives a blank cheque to Troubles killers, and it is one of the most shameful pieces of legislation ever brought through the British Parliament.

My party colleagues, Claire Hanna and Colum Eastwood, have been fighting against the Legacy Bill in Westminster, and I will be using my position on the Assembly’s Justice Committee to do the same.

“My question to the Department of Justice was simple: how does the passage of the NI Legacy Bill at Stormont impact upon two key directorates within the Department of Justice – access to justice and justice delivery.

The response I received from the Department was uninspiring, focussing on budgetary issues and financial constraints, rather than the risk of an arrest of justice.

“All parties are in agreement that the NI Legacy Bill is a disgrace. My duty as the SDLP’s representative on the Justice Committee is to identify and guard against the unforeseen consequences of this legislation in terms of access to, and the delivery of, justice for people and families across the North. The Justice Department’s officials have not satisfied my concerns, and so I will be raising them directly with the Justice Minister.”