Connie Egan
North Down · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“As the Minister referenced in her opening remarks, creating a legislative assumption that hate crime victims are to be treated as being eligible for assistance on the grounds of fear and distress will give them deeper assurance that they will not be put into a traumatic and distressing situation in which they are forced to engage with the…”
“Being a victim of or a witness to a crime can be one of the most traumatic and challenging periods in one's life. It is therefore vital that, when entering the justice process and throughout it, people have confidence that it will be as fair, trauma-informed and comprehensive as possible.”
“Minister Long's proactive step to create that role before the legislation was introduced served the dual purpose of giving victims and witnesses as much of a voice as possible in the here and now and testing some of the responsibilities that could end up in primary legislation.”
“When I speak to victims who have engaged with the commissioner's office and ask them about their experience, their answer is always one that is grateful in nature. They highlight the importance of having someone independent who listens to them and engages with their experience.”
“Clause 27 addresses a future legal gap caused by the implementation of direct committal, limiting the power to dismiss charges involving the death or serious physical harm of a child or vulnerable person. <BR /> <BR />Part 3 provides for the creation of regulations and orders, including the commencement of the provisions.”
“Clauses 24 and 25 add offences that involve aggravation by hostility, otherwise known as "hate crimes", to the list for which witnesses are eligible for special measures.”
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“From the outset, Rory has made it incredibly clear that the support of his parents is what has made his career possible, and, to all of us who watched last night, the pride glowing from them was clear. <BR /> <BR />Those from North Down and others who are familiar with Rory's story will know that his aspirations started at Holywood Golf Club. There, as its youngest ever member, he worked to become a professional golfer. It was incredibly sentimental and a touching addition to the evening to see videos and photos of current young members of the club watching Rory again take the green jacket last night. Rory's talent and his dedication to honing his skills have set an amazing example to all young sportspeople and competitors in all fields across the island.”
“I recognise the monumental and continued sporting achievements of Rory McIlroy, a Holywood man who has secured the almost unheard of feat of back-to-back Masters victories. Rory is only the fourth person to achieve that acclaim, cementing his status as a household name across the world. It was made all the sweeter by the fact that his parents, Rosie and Gerry, were present to witness their son reclaim his green jacket. Anyone who watched the news coverage will know that Rory's parents were not in attendance last year when he first won the Masters and became the sixth player in history to complete the career golfing Gland Slam, and it was heart-warming to see them cheering him along alongside his daughter, Poppy, and wife, Erica.”
“I thank all those who have campaigned for better outcomes on the disease, including my constituent Stephen, who was the first person to contact me on the issue and who kick-started much of my work.”
“<BR /> <BR />Those wonderfully brave campaigners who came with me to meet the Health Minister, Christine Campbell and Pauline Donnelly, also recorded a video that went up on the Department of Health's social media last week, in which they discuss with the Health Minister their journey and the symptoms of ovarian cancer. The symptoms include persistent bloating; feeling full quickly or having a loss of appetite; pain in your tummy and pelvis; and needing to pee more often or urgently than usual. The video is really worth watching, and I encourage all those here today to share Target Ovarian Cancer's resources with their loved ones and communities.”
“Target Ovarian Cancer's successful lobbying means not just that that information is updated on online public health resources but that, from this month onwards, cervical screening invitation letters will be updated to highlight the fact that the tests do not screen for other gynaecological cancers and that, from this summer, a formal change will be made to patient leaflets. That is fantastic progress, but there is still so much more to be done, such as giving patients access to poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, otherwise known as target treatments or maintenance treatments.”
“What has happened since then? Over the past year, I have worked with campaigners from Target Ovarian Cancer to change that. In November, I, alongside awe-inspiring campaigners Christine Campbell and Pauline Donnelly, presented a letter to the Health Minister, signed by 26 MLAs, to ask him to update public health information to make it clear that cervical screening will not detect ovarian cancer and signpost key symptoms. Despite sounding like a small step, that is vital, as research points to 46% of women in Northern Ireland believing that a cervical screening will detect ovarian cancer.”
“March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, serving as an important reminder to step back and reflect on the realities of that tragic disease in our communities in Northern Ireland. Over 200 women in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. We must continue to fight for improved outcomes for all those who face it. <BR /> <BR />This time last year, I stood up in the Chamber and informed Members of the staggering facts, including:”
“<BR /> <BR />I urge anyone who has any information about the deaths of Amy and Ellie that could be relevant to the investigation to please get in touch with the police as soon as possible. My heart breaks for those women, their families and their children.”
“Violence against women and girls remains an insidious blight on our society. When will everyone finally get a wake-up call, stand up and take it seriously? We cannot take our attention away from putting it to an end. In order to truly tackle such violence, we must look upstream and recognise the behaviours that often precede it. That includes the misogynistic attitudes and behaviours that most women experience almost daily. Everyone, particularly those of us in the Chamber, has a role to play in challenging misogynistic aspects of our culture that lead to gender-based harm, violence against women and the rape and murder of women. As public representatives, we have a duty to model the respectful behaviours that we need everyone across our communities to exhibit for change to happen.”
“That the murder of Amy Doherty in the Foyle area over the weekend followed on so quickly from the murder of Ellie Flanagan in Enniskillen is beyond comprehension. Since 2020, 30 adult women have been killed in Northern Ireland. They were all beloved women with their interests, dreams and opportunities ahead. They had their whole lives to look forward to, but, instead, they were cruelly and unjustly taken away. I send my sincerest condolences to the loved ones of Amy and Ellie. I cannot fathom the pain and grief that they must be experiencing right now.”
“I rise in real anger and devastation that two more women in Northern Ireland have had their lives tragically taken away from them.”
“Realistically, that only scratches the surface of how frequently knives and sharp instruments are used to harm, intimidate and coerce in domestic settings. We must do all that we can to prevent that from happening, and increased age and identity verifications for knife and crossbow ownership could be a constructive step in that. <BR /> <BR />I hope that all Members across the Chamber will join my party and me and pass the motion.”
“The amendments also make provision for regulations to prescribe an alternative process for age verification and ensure that all contractors in the delivery chain are responsible for age and ID verification on the delivery of bladed products and crossbows to residential premises. <BR /> <BR />It is a welcome step forward in tightening and regulating access to knives and sharp instruments across Northern Ireland. As noted in the PSNI's crime bulletin that was released just last month, there were 545 crimes involving a knife or sharp instrument between December 2024 and December 2025. Knives or other sharp instruments are recorded as having been used in seven cases of rape and sexual assault in the same period.”
“I support the third legislative consent motion that the Alliance Justice Minister, Naomi Long, has brought to the House on Westminster's Crime and Policing Bill. The LCM deals specifically with extending powers that strengthen age verification requirements for the online sale and delivery of knives and crossbows. I commend Minister Long and her departmental officials for moving as swiftly and flexibly as possible on this as a matter of public safety, particularly considering the already packed legislative programme ahead of us. <BR /> <BR />Alliance welcomes the provisions, which clarify and solidify law relating to the need for a physical passport or driving licence as proof of age for the remote sale of a knife or for the remote sale or hire of a crossbow.”
“I look forward to working with my fellow members of the Justice Committee on the scrutiny of the Bill and engaging with the Minister, her Department and a vast array of stakeholders on its contents during our call for evidence. As already noted, sentencing plays a vital role in the functioning of any healthy democratic society. Public opinion over time shifts and changes, so our sentencing practice must, in turn, match that pace. This Bill is a welcome step forward.”
“<BR /> <BR />To finish, I note the EFM's reference to the Bill's financial effects, which are primarily seen as deliverable within existing resources. In a particularly challenging financial environment for our Executive, I am encouraged by that. The cost implications for the Probation Board of the introduction of community requirements as an option for inclusion in suspended sentences are of note, but I welcome the Department's commitment to a costing exercise pre implementation to ensure that it is doable. <BR /> <BR />I can see the Bill's provisions playing a real role in our Executive's joint ambition for safer communities, as noted in our Programme for Government.”
“The legislation is unique and gives a formulaic provision for how this can be dealt with if a disclosure is made post-sentencing. I welcome the fact that that accompanies the implementation of legislation similar to Helen's law, which places a duty on parole commissioners to consider information relating to the prisoner's non-disclosure when they are making decisions relating to the prisoner as a matter of public protection. <BR /> <BR />Alliance's reflections on Parts 6 and 7 of the Bill, which are on statutory aggravation and the increase of penalties in relation to road traffic offences, where death and serious injury is caused, will be covered in more detail by my party colleagues. The provisions are welcome, and I am extremely grateful to Enda Dolan's family, who are here today. They have been campaigning for this for years.”
“What those families have endured is unimaginable, and I hope that this legislative step recognises their trauma and pain. These provisions will create an additional custodial period for a person who has been convicted of murder or manslaughter, where the court believes that they have information about where or how the victim's remains are disposed of but the person involved does not disclose that information. This legislation means that, for not disclosing where a victim's remains are, perpetrators will receive an additional custodial period that will not be less than 30% of the initial notional custodial period or sentence. That is welcome and incredibly important for victims' families and loved ones in their journey with trying to come to terms with a terribly traumatic loss that has happened in their life.”
“Queries have been raised to and by the Justice Committee about why that has not, from the outset, included summary trial offences in the Magistrates' Court, but I put it on record that the legislation does put in place regulation-making powers for the Department to expand that to specific offences that are prosecuted through the Magistrates' Court at a later date, once more policy development has been completed. <BR /> <BR />Part 5 of the Bill is very welcome and deals with the failure to disclose information about the remains of victims. That follows an incredibly brave and determined campaign by the families of Charlotte Murray and Lisa Dorrian. I know that they are here today, and we must pay tribute to them. I understand that they welcome these provisions today.”
“The Alliance Party welcomes that move to bring consistency to the existing scheme and recognises that it aims to provide assurances to victims and their families who do not see prosecution outcomes and punishments as proportionate to the traumatising crime that has been committed. I see the benefit of that, providing clear space for review when there are concerns for public safety, particularly when the offences prosecuted include sexual violence or paedophilia, for example. <BR /> <BR />The tidying up and clarity brought by this legislation provides a path to secure justice when justice in the first instance may have been questioned.”
“Part 3 places a duty on the court, when passing a life sentence, to state in open court the reasons for deciding such a sentence and to explain to the offender the effect of it. Parts 2 and 3 interlink with an important stage in the offender's journey, and I welcome their utility in supporting the understanding of consequences and pathways to rehabilitation and, in some cases, in lowering the risk of reoffending. <BR /> <BR />Part 4 focuses on unduly lenient sentences. It simplifies and consolidates existing legislation to provide that, where the Director of Public Prosecutions determines that a sentence handed down by the Crown Court is unduly lenient, it can be referred to the Court of Appeal.”
“Part 1 provides for the first time in Northern Ireland a clear statement in statute of the purposes and principles of the sentencing of adult offenders. The Alliance Party welcomes that, alongside the provisions that legally compel courts to have regard for relevant sentencing guidance when determining outcomes for offenders. Consistency in sentencing is paramount in ensuring public confidence in our criminal justice system and laying a clear foundation of purposes and principles. It provides transparency for all those who engage with it. The predictability of sentencing, where possible, is important. <BR /> <BR />Part 2 deals with the creation of new suspended sentence orders for adult offenders, which can specify one or more community requirements.”
“It benchmarks crimes that are committed, and it is a public statement on what the consequences for each offence should be. It sends a message about what the public and our society as a whole stand for. Naturally, and as, I believe, the Bill achieves, the needs of victims and families, public sentiment and rehabilitation should be placed at the centre of how we determine sentences. As a member of the Justice Committee, I welcome the Minister's open communication with us on the Bill, including pre-introductory and post-introductory briefings from departmental officials. <BR /> <BR />I will take each Part of the Bill in turn, with a particular focus on the sections that refer to unduly lenient sentences and the aggravation attached to the failure to disclose information about victims' remains.”
“I thank Minister Long and her departmental officials for their diligent work in bringing forward this important and particularly complex legislation, which will make sentencing more consistent and transparent for all across Northern Ireland. The practice of sentencing, including what those sentences are and their time frames, has been the basis of much public discussion over the past few years. I commend the Bill as a vehicle to address issues that have arisen. It is particularly welcome that it comes in tandem with the newly announced sentencing review, while further initial scoping is projected to go out for public consultation next year. <BR /> <BR />The practice of sentencing by our judiciary is beyond important in our criminal legal system.”
“which commenced public consultation in 2019, with additional constituent parts covering:”
“I welcome the opportunity to give some initial reflections on the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill at Second Stage on behalf of the Alliance Party. As the Bill's explanatory and financial memorandum (EFM) states, the Bill:”
“Thank you, Minister. Residents in my constituency of North Down who live near beauty spots, beaches and visitor attractions often have access to their properties impeded or have access for emergency service vehicles blocked. When you are considering the roll-out of residents' parking schemes, will you take such circumstances into consideration?”
“It was very clear, however, that despite receiving a call relating to those types of crimes every 16 minutes, it believes that they are still under-reported. <BR /> <BR />The most powerful contributions came from victim and survivor testimonies. This insidious crime affects people across society, and the support, recovery and justice journey will be different for them all. They bravely spoke up to raise awareness, in the hope that sharing their story could help someone else and prevent that type of crime happening. I thank the organisers and everyone who attended on the evening. It was a truly worthwhile event, and it will make a difference.”
“<BR /> <BR />The PSNI spoke, and it was welcome to hear how it is using the relatively new offences of coercive control and non-fatal strangulation to address abuse and violent behaviours.”
“They highlighted the wide range of services that they offer and the brilliant work that they do in supporting women, children, men and elderly people with unique services that each of them needs, reiterating that anybody can be a victim of that type of crime. <BR /> <BR />'The Souls of our Shoes' exhibition from the Mothers' Union was on display. It was incredibly moving and showed lived testimony, with the display of a simple article — shoes — from a victim or survivor, which, often, had been used to walk away to safety or to achieve justice, alongside a quote from that victim. It really brought home to many of us who were there that evening the impact that those crimes have.”
“I highlight an incredibly important event that took place in my constituency in the town of Donaghadee last week. Donaghadee Community Development Association, alongside North Down and Ards Women's Aid, organised a community conference that focused on domestic abuse and violence, which was called When Home Isn't Safe. <BR /> <BR />The event shone a light on the often hidden crime of domestic abuse in our communities. It was an opportunity for those who have been affected, for people who wanted to learn more and for organisations providing vital support to come together and share information, bust some of the myths and highlight that anybody in our community can be a victim of that horrific crime. We had presentations from organisations such as Hourglass, the Men's Advisory Project and Women's Aid.”
“What progress has been made since domestic homicide reviews were implemented? How does that impact on the potential to include suicides?”
“Minister, I share your concerns about the volume of untreated sewage that is being discharged into Belfast lough and the impact that it has on the north Down coastline and our constituents. Therefore, could you please outline why the special designation is required for Belfast lough?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I understand that additional funding of £1·6 million was announced in May 2025 for dentists. How will that be allocated? Will it be allocated before the end of this financial year?”
“and how this can be acknowledged. Years have now passed, and many people are elderly, so it is important that the survivors have input into that work. How is that ongoing?”
“Thank you, deputy First Minister. The strategy for victims and survivors states that there will be an exploration of:”
“At the end of the day, Mark was a man who should have had more time, and, sadly, we do not yet know whether the same thing has happened to somebody else. It is tragic, and we must all take steps to ensure that it does not happen to any other person or family ever again.”
“Those asks include the implementation of a coloured wristband system when a patient is admitted with an allergy that causes airway restriction; a review of the processes for recording allergies in patient records, because, despite the fact that electronic records are meant to prompt regularly to record allergens, evidence shows that that did not happen in Mark's case; and, finally, an upgrade of staff training to remove any systemic vulnerability in allergen visibility across the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in particular. Those are asks of the Health Minister and the trusts.”
“<BR /> <BR />Rachel, being incredibly brave and selfless, is determined that no one else will face the devastating consequences of an allergy falling through the gaps. She is proposing Mark's law. Her modest asks are implemented in different trusts already, but a clear regional protocol could make a real difference.”
“Mark had an allergy to dexamethasone, which a medical professional first identified in 2017. That was then reiterated verbally multiple times by Mark, his wife and his family during his care. Despite that, it was never recorded on his electronic patient record, and Mark was administered multiple doses on multiple occasions, including during his final surgery. He was expected to have months after the surgery; instead, he had nine days. Serious questions must be asked about how that was allowed to happen. Mark, who was full of life, trusted the medical professionals around him to deliver the care that he needed. Rachel and her family deserve answers and the truth about her father's death.”
“I have come to the Chamber today to raise a deep concern that was brought to my attention by one of my North Down constituents, Rachel McCullough, about allergen identification in hospital settings. Rachel got in touch with my office last year after the devastating passing of her father, Mark Dyer. I extend again my sincere condolences to her and her family. Loss is never easy, and that is particularly so in this case given the circumstances of Mark's death. <BR /> <BR />Mark, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic kidney cancer in July 2024. With the right care, Mark should still have had years to live and time to spend with his family, but, instead, by the following summer, he had died in the Ulster Hospital, where he had been for months.”
“Thank you for your answer, Minister. Will you commit to resetting relationships with the key stakeholders on the issue to make sure that we can all move forward collectively?”
“Last week, I met the commissioner designate, Geraldine Hanna, who informed me that her office is now taking forward a task and finish group with buy-in from the Health, Justice and Finance Departments to establish terms of reference and a business case for a pilot on how to work family courts differently. I am also aware that the Lady Chief Justice issued new guidance in that area last June. <BR /> <BR />That work is incredibly important and positive, and we cannot and must not forget why it has to happen. It is vital to protect parents who have been subject to domestic violence and who are simply trying to keep themselves and their children safe in the toughest circumstances.”
“<BR /> <BR />In December, the office of the Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime launched an incredibly useful report: 'Totally Invisible'. It focused on the experiences of domestic abuse victims and children who engage with family courts in Northern Ireland. The report includes the lived experiences of victims and survivors of domestic abuse, and, from that, the commissioner designate developed a really worthwhile set of recommendations. The proposals include presumptions against contact with children in cases of domestic abuse; mandatory training on domestic violence and abuse for all members of the judiciary and legal professions; and reform of the family courts system as a whole.”
“That can create great difficulties for those who engage in such matters and who wish to raise concerns and bring about change. <BR /> <BR />So much could be said about the process; honestly, much of what I have been told by those who are going through the system has been heartbreaking and of deep concern. There are clear and emerging high-level themes, including the need for the voices of the children involved to be heard more; the lack of information-sharing between civil and criminal courts, particularly in child contact proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse; the lack of openness and transparency around family court processes; and the experience of many victims who feel retraumatised, through family court proceedings, by post-separation abuse.”
“I will highlight the experiences of individuals in the family courts system and, primarily, the fact that ensuring the welfare of children and victims of domestic abuse is paramount. Since I joined the Justice Committee over a year ago, constituents of mine in North Down and others from across Northern Ireland have reached out to me for help — help in keeping themselves and their loved ones safe in an incredibly adversarial process. <BR /> <BR />Responsibility for family law and its processes in Northern Ireland is something that, I sincerely believe, needs to be demystified. The Department of Finance has responsibility for private family law, the Department of Health has responsibility for public family law, and the Lady Chief Justice is responsible for the proper functioning of the courts and the administration of justice.”
“Thank you, Minister. What programmes are being supported by the carrier bag levy?”
“Thank you, junior Minister. Obviously, that was part of the ending violence against women and girls delivery plan for 2024-26, so we are in the year in which that expires. Will you therefore outline the work that the Executive Office is undertaking for the next phase of the delivery plan?”
“Minister, will you please clarify the Solicitors' Criminal Bar Association's (SCBA) position on the accelerated review?”
“<BR /> <BR />I have submitted a series of questions to the Infrastructure Minister, asking what steps are being taken in the short and the long term to plan for the impacts of climate change and future major weather events and when the sea wall in Donaghadee will be repaired. We need immediate intervention to protect the coastline in Donaghadee, and we need to look to the future. I am heartened by the progress that the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir, has made on that, but we are still the only part of these islands without a climate adaption programme. We cannot afford for our coastal defences to fail. There is too much at risk.”