Claire Sugden
East Londonderry · Independent · Northern Ireland
“That is, gosh, almost 35 years ago, yet we are still having the conversation in 2026. If I were to speak to that eight-year-old girl, I would tell her, "When you are 40, Claire, this will not even be a consideration for you". Sadly, however, it still is. It is deeply disappointing that, when we had an opportunity, it was not taken.”
“Indeed, I tabled an amendment to that Bill to achieve the desired outcome, but, sadly, the opportunity was not taken. One of the strengths of the Assembly is that Committees can identify where Executive legislation has fallen short and produce their own practical, targeted solutions.”
“Frankly, we should be listening. Sometimes, we talk about equality in broad terms, but the Bill reminds us that equality is often about practical things. It is about removing unnecessary barriers from everyday life and ensuring that opportunities and choices do not depend on arbitrary differences between schools.”
“That is ridiculous. The point that we should all pay attention to is that of girls feeling less exposed. We should focus on that even if there were no other reasons to pass the legislation. Girls simply want to get on with their school day without having to think about something that most boys take for granted.”
“That meeting was a reminder that issues that can appear small to adults — there have been adults who have asked why the Assembly is legislating on this — can be issues on which we need to legislate. When people do not behave appropriately, we as a legislature have a responsibility to legislate.”
“Around one in seven couples in Northern Ireland experiences fertility problems, yet Northern Ireland continues to offer one of the most limited publicly funded fertility services anywhere in the United Kingdom. Couples face lengthy waits, restricted eligibility criteria and fewer publicly funded IVF opportunities than elsewhere.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,208 lines we hold for Claire Sugden, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 26 of 45.
“I am also making adjustments to the type of cases that can be funded through legal aid. Administration costs are being addressed through a transformation programme in the Legal Services Agency that includes a digitalisation programme. I am considering the recommendations in the access to justice part 2 report and will bring forward an updated strategy for legal aid. I will consider relevant recommendations from the Gillen review to ensure that we take a strategic approach to reform. Those measures will help to deliver a legal aid system that is fit for purpose in the 21st century and protects access to justice for the most vulnerable.”
“A significant number of reforms to legal aid have already been delivered, including revised remuneration arrangements in criminal courts, with reduced fees, and reductions in the number of cases where it is appropriate to certify two counsel in the Crown Court. Measures have also been put in place to ensure that the appropriate level of representation is granted in civil courts. The reforms have helped to bring the cost of legal aid under control from a high of £106 million in 2014-15 to a projected spend of under £85 million in the current financial year. <BR /> <BR />I am finalising proposals to introduce a standardised fee structure for legal representation in family cases and for expert witnesses in criminal and civil cases. I am developing proposals for the reform of remuneration for the Court of Appeal.”
“We hope to have my review concluded by March. As I said, I hope to expedite that as soon as possible. I am not definitive about the PSNI's timescales on this, but I know that it is something that it has been reviewing since this mistake.”
“Again, I am appalled by the case. If lessons have not been learned, they certainly should have been. That is all I can say other than to reiterate what I have already said.”
“I reiterate what I said in my answer to Mr Clarke: the bail review, as part of the three-person panel report, has been under way since October, a mere few months after that action plan was published. I am not sure what point the Member is trying to get at. My Department is committed to bringing this forward. Let us expedite it, because it has been demonstrated that we need to do that. For the record, of all the actions in the three-person panel report, those that have been fulfilled came from my Department. From my perspective, there is no lack of commitment to work towards that end.”
“It is devastating, and we need to do all that we can in the public services to ensure that victims are genuinely put first.”
“The operational decision does not rest with me; ultimately, bail decisions rest with the courts and the PSNI. That said, I am appalled by what has happened. I am not scared to say that, even though I am stepping outside my jurisdiction in the matter. I made my feelings clear to the Chief Constable when this was allowed to happen. I can assure the Member that I have a focus on the issue to ensure that it will not happen again. The bail review has been ongoing in my Department since October. In light of this — I say that reluctantly, because it should not be in light of this; it should not have happened — I have asked my officials to expedite the review in any way that they can to give some comfort to the Black family. The Black family have gone through enough, and this will continue to raise those issues with them.”
“Should the findings from this initial phase highlight any issues, such as procedural or systemic matters, a second phase will be initiated to consider whether further measures are needed.”
“I agree with its view that all sections of the criminal justice system should take the opportunity to reflect on this, because there is a failure there. <BR /> <BR />My Department is currently reviewing bail in line with the recommendation in the Fresh Start panel report on disbanding paramilitary groups. The review is focusing on bail decisions in those more serious cases assessed as being linked to organised crime or terrorist activity. An initial phase will bring together law enforcement agencies, the Public Prosecution Service, officials from the Office of the Lord Chief Justice and my Department to establish and consider the facts around bail decisions. A workshop is scheduled next month and the initial phase of the review is expected to be concluded by March.”
“I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt sympathy to the family of David Black. No one should have to endure what they have endured. Indeed, I had a conversation with the family over the past week about events that have been reported in the media. <BR /> <BR />The monitoring of bail conditions is a matter for the police, and, while the PSNI falls under the remit of my Department, it has complete operational autonomy. Consequently, it would be inappropriate for me to interfere with that, and, therefore, I cannot involve myself in individual cases or operational cases. I understand that the PSNI has issued an unequivocal apology to the Black family and has commissioned a review of its processes.”
“I have none at hand, but I can certainly do that work for the Member. Drugs and alcohol, as was alluded to in the debate yesterday, are a big indicator of why people commit crime. Drugs in itself even fuels the drug taking. It is a vicious cycle. As I said, it is a big problem in society that permeates through all different areas, and we need to focus on it.”
“It is not just about the Government trying to ensure their taxes so that they keep these institutions up. We need to have a real conversation about everybody's role in terms of drug dealing in Northern Ireland, but it definitely has to be a priority. When we move aside the political problems that this country has, we should be talking about the issues that really could change lives. For me, drugs is a really important issue. Further to any sort of election, I encourage all Members to put that at the forefront of their mind, because the scourge of that on our streets is really quite damaging.”
“I thank the Member for his comments. If that is an invitation to join your party, no, I will be standing as an independent in the next Assembly election. I think that standing for any party would do me no good at this stage, but anyway. <BR /> <BR />Yes, as part of my sentencing review, we will certainly look at all the different areas in and around drugs. There has to be a zero-tolerance approach towards people who are selling drugs, because, as anyone who followed my campaign around tackling paramilitarism will have seen, it really does begin at a level where some people perhaps do not realise. Even buying counterfeit goods is creating a chain of events that could lead to drug dealing on our streets, and your children could be buying those drugs. That message needs to get home.”
“Operationally, the police deal with their own budget, and I have regular conversations with the Chief Constable to facilitate how I can help in that. It is not just about giving the police money. It is about ensuring that the police are freed up in other ways so that they can do the job. Perhaps those resources could go to those areas. It has to be a holistic approach if we are realistic about tackling the justice system, which the police are a huge part of.”
“I reiterate Mr Allen's comments about the PSNI. Having had the experience of being Justice Minister for the past eight months, I want to pay tribute to the PSNI because it works very extensively on the front line to keep our communities safe. I do all that I can to ensure that the police have a sufficient budget, but I do so in the context of my departmental budget. The police receive a significant amount of my departmental budget, which constrains other parts of the justice system. <BR /> <BR />As I mentioned, a holistic look needs to be taken at the justice system. That begins with the PSNI making the arrests and finding the evidence but also goes right through to the courts system. I think that we need to be realistic about that.”
“<BR /> <BR />I remember, when times were better, having conversations with the First Minister and the deputy First Minister about how, if we, as an Executive, were to tackle one issue, we need to tackle drug dealing on our streets because it creates bigger problems in society that are affecting us. I think even of the work that we were doing around tackling paramilitarism and criminality. Drugs are a big problem there. What really frustrates me is the path that they are leading our young people down. If young people are choosing to take that path, it obviously means that they feel that other paths are not available to them. Other Departments need to play a role in giving them the future that they deserve.”
“I do not think that we can ever be satisfied with the conviction rate of those who supply drugs. Throughout society, drug dealing and drug taking is a can of worms that it would be very difficult to put the lid on. That is not to say that we should not be doing anything about it. Indeed, I have every confidence that the PSNI is tackling it to the best of its abilities. Again, while I am loath to say it at this stage, this requires a cross-departmental approach. This is not just an issue for Justice. It is an issue for Health, it is an issue for Education, it is an issue that permeates all sections of our society.”
“PCSPs work very closely with the Public Health Agency to address drug misuse on an ongoing basis and will continue to concentrate their efforts on tackling the issues identified in the local community.”
“<BR /> <BR />At strategic level, responding to the range of potential harms caused by substance misuse is a key focus of the Executive’s New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs. It is Northern Ireland’s framework for reducing substance-related harm. Whilst the Department of Health leads on delivery, my Department has been and will remain a key contributor to that work. In addition, a task force meets to share information and intelligence on drug activity across Northern Ireland. At constituency level, the local policing and community safety partnership works to raise awareness of the associated impacts of such misuse, including through wider initiatives such as the Drug Dealers Don’t Care — Do You? campaign that was supported by Crimestoppers.”
“I acknowledge that the misuse of drugs can, and does, impact on individuals and the wider community, not least in the Member’s constituency as reflected in recent media reports. Yesterday’s debate on alcohol-related crime also highlighted the challenges that substance misuse creates in society and the work that my Department and partners are carrying out to reduce the harm caused. Operations to tackle drug misuse are led by the PSNI through the delivery of the policing plan. The PSNI regularly runs high profile operations targeted at street-level drug dealing. Dealing effectively with drug-related offences remains a policing priority for the PSNI in South Belfast.”
“There needs to be a realistic conversation about the role of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the wider context of public services, including social services and healthcare services. Again, not to sound too despondent, this was all work in progress. I hope that this work can continue under whoever may take the mantle, if it is not me.”
“The Member raises a valid point. It emerged from my conversations with the Chief Constable that there is a need to understand the role of the Police Service in Northern Ireland better and to look at it in the context of 2017. <BR /> <BR />I understand the issues that the police face daily, and mental health is one. I do not think that any MLA would be surprised to learn that, at the weekend, police often spend a lot of time in A&Es, sitting with people who have mental health issues. That takes up two or three hours and ties up resources that they could be devoting elsewhere.”
“Future healthcare provision in custody will be informed by the findings of the custody health needs assessment that was undertaken recently by the PSNI in collaboration with the Public Health Agency.”
“I have regular discussions with the Chief Constable on a range of strategic issues. However, the issue raised here — policies and procedures in custody suites — is an operational matter and has not, therefore, been discussed with the Chief Constable. The Member may wish to contact the PSNI directly. <BR /> <BR />A programme of rationalisation and upgrading of custody provision is under way across Northern Ireland, the goal being fewer, better-equipped suites with embedded support services, including healthcare. However, I have received a number of representations in relation to suite closures and processing delays, and I have undertaken to raise these matters with the Chief Constable.”
“<BR /> <BR />My Department is finalising details on the extension to the PRRT. I am committed to doing this and hope to have an announcement before leaving office in the coming weeks.”
“Yes indeed. One of the good news stories for prisons was my decision to extend the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust (PRRT) to prison officers. That initiative is fantastic, and, if any Members ever get the opportunity to visit the PRRT to see the work that it does, I encourage them to do so. From a physical and mental perspective, its support is invaluable. The police have certainly got great value from it. <BR /> <BR />The Member has demonstrated to me a lot of commitment to looking after the needs of prison officers. There is a continued threat against prison officers, I regret to say, and the job is not easy. When all other public services have failed, people end up in custody, and it is prison officers on the front line who deal with that, so there needs to be that support.”
“The Probation Board is under the new leadership of Cheryl Lamont, and she has expressed similar ideas. Probation has a practical purpose in ensuring that people will not reoffend and find themselves back in custody. That work, to which I have been committed, is ongoing, and I hope that, as I move out of office, that commitment has been instilled in my Department.”
“Not at this stage. I do not have that detail to hand. The review that the Health Minister and I announced shortly before Christmas, on how we can best tackle mental health in prisons, is ongoing. The Member is entirely right that I have made that commitment to the House time and again. <BR /> <BR />We have to involve the community because it is not just about what happens when prisoners are in custody and in my care; it is about what happens before they come into and after they leave custody. Otherwise, there could be an endless cycle. We need to break that cycle, which does not begin and end with the support that we put in place whilst they are in custody. That support has to be followed through once they are released into the community.”
“We also need to look at how we treat the Prison Service within the Northern Ireland Civil Service when it comes to disciplinary procedures. That is also something that I am quite concerned about. <BR /> <BR />I have a limited number of weeks left, Mr Beattie, but I will do what I can in the meantime. Be assured that it has always been my commitment to look after our prison officers just as much as prisoners, because that is where it begins.”
“I thank the Member for his question and for his interest in this area. I am deeply concerned about the number of prison officers who have been assaulted in prisons in the last year. I do not have specific figures to hand on those who have taken time off, but there is significant sickness absence. The assaults on prison officers that have happened would suggest why we have such a high level of sickness absence. <BR /> <BR />I have asked my officials to look at rolling out body-worn cameras across the Prison Service and not just in the areas that are deemed to be most at risk. It has been demonstrated that, where they are used, there is a reluctance to carry out those types of attacks on prison officers. It is something that I am keen to keep under review, and I am mindful of it.”
“Mental health issues in prisons did not begin or end with my tenure as Justice Minister, although I started the conversation on how we effectively address mental health issues in prisons. Had I been in post longer it is something that I would have been keen to see out in the next five years, but here lies the problem. I will remain as Minister until the election, and I am quite keen to ensure that we maintain that contact with the Department of Health because this does not just fall within my remit. Mental health in prisons is a very significant issue, and the recent deaths in custody have shown us how significant it is. It is something that I had committed to taking forward, but I will ensure that my Department continues that work. I hope that, if anyone succeeds me, they can look at that again because it is of utmost importance.”
“The captured footage may be used in the internal prison disciplinary process, and, in some instances, it has been used to support complaints made to the PSNI. The safety of staff, prisoners and visitors remains under constant review.”
“The number of lockdowns has reduced, and those that occur are more regulated and predictable. This lessens the tensions that can occur when prisoners are informed of a last-minute change to their regime. The Northern Ireland Prison Service continues to work reactively with its partner agencies to prevent illicit substances and contraband entering the establishment and to reduce the risk posed to staff and prisoners in relation to the misuse of prescription reduction. <BR /> <BR />Other measures that have been put in place for the safety of staff and prisoners include the visible patrolling of all integrated prisoner recreation areas by staff and the deployment of body-worn cameras throughout the prison. Body-worn cameras have been seen to reduce the amount and level of verbal abuse and challenges from prisoners.”
“The Prison Service continues to maintain a clear focus on the safety of staff and takes the duty of care for all the individuals it holds in custody extremely seriously. Following a recent recruitment campaign, 37 custody prison officers commenced employment at Maghaberry prison in November 2016. They have been deployed to front-line services and are supported by the senior management team, residential managers and experienced residential staff. The rotation of staff working in the more stressful areas is ongoing, and that ensures that staff are rotated from these areas regularly. An individual professional development peer mentoring programme has been in place from 27 June 2016. <BR /> <BR />The new core day which has been introduced delivers a consistent, predictable and effective regime for prisoners and staff.”
“I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this motion on an issue that affects people's day-to-day lives and I think that, on this really sad day for Northern Ireland, it is important that we put that message out there, because that perhaps demonstrates a little bit of hope for our country. I appreciate all the contributions to the debate.”
“PCSPs work alongside local partners to coordinate, support and lead the delivery of localised responses that are designed to effectively support tackling alcohol- and drugs-related offending, and I fear that much of this good work may also be affected by the dissolution of the Assembly next week and the continuing absence of a Budget which would give greater clarity and assurances to those trying to work in this area. <BR /> <BR />I have another few pages to talk about, but I feel that my standing in front of the Assembly is, to an extent, fruitless. The work that we have looked at over the past eight months will be lost in what we need to do to take Northern Ireland forward.”
“In trying to address this, they, too, expend money, time and effort to draw attention to the local concerns and work with their communities to identify, create and implement community programmes designed to help engender more responsible behaviour. Many of the local programmes are targeted at providing advice to students and young people through engagement programmes in schools, awareness seminars and targeted interventions to challenge, for example, on-street drinking.”
“With regard to the link between alcohol and crime, I think that we all accept that the relationship between consumption, particularly overconsumption, of alcohol and drugs and some criminal activity is well established. In the latest new strategic direction update report, research appears to suggest that the consumption of alcohol and drugs is a contributing factor in a large proportion of all crime. I know that the Police Service of Northern Ireland is also acutely aware of these problems. <BR /> <BR />Within my Department, local community safety partnerships have identified where the misuse of alcohol has been reported as playing a part in behaviour and criminal activities in their areas.”
“I hope that that kind of thinking can be sustained to ensure that the right help is made available to the right people. <BR /> <BR />The Programme for Government creates the platform for such a change, and problem-solving justice provides the delivery mechanism. As part of the problem-solving approach to justice, we were developing a portfolio of initiatives, some of which might have impacted directly on alcohol-related crime, including multi-agency support hubs to support individuals and their families and the development of a substance misuse court and a family, drugs and alcohol court.”
“<BR /> <BR />My vision for the justice system in Northern Ireland was one of transformative change, because I believe that it is much more effective to address the underlying causes of offending when they arise, whether those are alcohol-related or due to misuse or abuse of other substances, than to seek to treat the problems later. I am so disappointed not to be able to develop the transformative changes throughout the current mandate. By diverting individuals, where appropriate, to the relevant community support and services in a timely manner so that they can receive targeted support and therapeutic intervention, we would deliver positive incomes for vulnerable individuals, for communities and for the criminal justice system as a whole, as well as reduce the number of victims.”
“It is an approach that would drive our reforms over the next five years. It is so unfortunate that we are to be distracted from this imaginative attempt at addressing the problems being discussed today, because there was a real opportunity to start changing people's lives. I think, too, that the effort that I expended on the draft Programme for Government, which includes plans to have a safe community, in which we respect the law and each other, will be seen by those suffering from the effects of alcohol-related crime as a wasted opportunity to tackle some of the issues that affect people from day to day.”
“In addition, the strategy looks to enable alcohol and drug users to have access to appropriate and effective treatment and support services, backed up by measures designed to reduce harm and supported by research and monitoring of trends and developments. The work in that area, led by the Department of Health, is producing results. I am pleased to acknowledge the part that my Department plays in supporting the work to address the range of problems. <BR /> <BR />The approach that I have encouraged since taking up post last year is built on problem-solving justice, which is a person-centred approach to tackling offending. If only my Executive colleagues would take the same attitude. For me, problem-solving justice is at the heart of our new draft Programme for Government, if it ever sees the light of day.”
“At a local level, through the strategy, we continue to promote joined-up work between drug and alcohol coordination teams, policing and community safety partnerships and local councils. Officials in my Department and the partner bodies that I listed have been looking closely at the range of concerns linked to the abuse and misuse of alcohol, and indeed drugs, with the intention of reducing the public health and societal impacts that behaviours such as overconsumption of alcohol can lead to. <BR /> <BR />Members may find it helpful to be reminded that the new strategic direction looks not only to reduce crime in which alcohol or drugs play a part but to prevent and intervene early in matters relating to alcohol, as well as both prescription drugs misuse and the use of illegal substances.”
“However, tackling alcohol misuse generally is an issue for the Northern Ireland Executive, not just my Department, and that is why the new strategic direction is led by the Department of Health. It has many initiatives under way, including looking at pricing and promotions, as I mentioned earlier, access and availability, education work and understanding the hidden harms caused by alcohol misuse. <BR /> <BR />Members may be aware that the fourth annual report of the progress towards achieving the aims of the strategy was published in August of last year. As part of the new strategic direction strategy, key links have been made between phase 2 of the new strategic direction, the community safety strategy, the strategic framework for reducing offending and alcohol licensing.”
“I hate to reiterate the point, but those opportunities are being lost by what has been played out in this Building and these institutions today. <BR /> <BR />In addition, to help monitor the position and in support of its work with health partners to address the problem, the PSNI has been maintaining a statistical record of certain crimes and offences in which alcohol and drugs intake is seen as a contributory factor. Those figures, although modest, show welcome improvements in such links. In 2014-15, alcohol was a contributing factor in 19% of all crimes recorded and in 43% of offences of violence against the person. In replying to the motion, I am focusing today on the work of the Department of Justice to tackle alcohol-related crime.”
“The statistics show that between10.00 pm and 6.00 am on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday that rose to 77%. In over half of arrests for offences where assaults were a factor, alcohol had been consumed. <BR /> <BR />Ms Bradshaw alluded to the recent PSNI One Punch campaign. This is an issue that affects people on a very real basis; it ruins lives day to day. That is something that we cannot become complacent about. Mr Beattie mentioned the Dolan family. I want to put on record my sincere sympathies to the Dolan family for what they have been put through. Indeed, had I been able to serve for a longer time in this office, I would have looked at addressing that concern, particularly around sentences and how we look at their unduly lenient nature, and at what we as an Assembly have the power to change.”
“However, it feels fruitless standing in an empty Chamber with the prospect of an election around the corner, and we cannot fulfill the aims that we promised when we came into office less than a year ago. <BR /> <BR />Although the new strategic direction is led by the Department of Health, my Department and others in the criminal justice system, including the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Probation Board, and the Youth Justice Agency, provide major contributions to the strategy and its implementation. <BR /> <BR />The latest statistics produced for the annual report include feedback on analysis that showed that 46% of persons arrested and brought to police custody suites declared that they had recently consumed alcohol.”
“It is already working with the Department of Health. I agree with Mr Beattie that that should be extended not just in those two Departments but to Education and across the Executive, which, regrettably, no longer exists. To tackle the complex issues that arise when excessive alcohol is consumed will require support funding, but dissolution of the Assembly will make access to that funding across all Departments more problematic. <BR /> <BR />I am happy to tell the House that a joint strategy with the Minister of Health is already in place. A strategic direction was established to address many of the concerns raised in the motion on a cross-departmental basis with the Department of Health.”
“I am sure that the Assembly readily recognises the proven link between crimes and the over-consumption of alcohol. If it is the last thing we do on this dreadful day for Northern Ireland, it is that we debate an issue that affects people's lives, because goodness knows when we will have an opportunity again to represent the concerns that matter to the people of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />While I appreciate the sentiments of Mr Easton and Mr Douglas to highlight an issue that none of us in this Chamber — if all were here — could disagree with, it is clear, judging by the events of the day and the emptiness of the Chamber, that practical issues, as Mrs Dobson rightly said, are of no concern to those who wish to play politics. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to demonstrate what my Department is doing to tackle alcohol misuse.”
“Not yet. Public confidence in our institution is at its lowest. I regret to say that this is a house of cards. It is fragile. I do not believe that a successful motion today would ensure public confidence. It would bring the cards down. I am not sure that any of us would get up again. The people who would suffer most are the people of Northern Ireland. What we need to do to ensure confidence is to announce a full independent investigation.”