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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“In many cases, support services, such as Women's Aid, Nexus and the Men's Advisory Project, are left to pick up the pieces. <BR /> <BR />There has been real momentum behind the campaign to connect homelessness and domestic abuse in the past year. In March, I had the opportunity to attend a legislative theatre event on homelessness and domestic abuse. That was a unique opportunity to listen to the lived experience of those who have found safety and support in the system and also those who feel that they have been failed. It was a powerful way of connecting policymakers, support organisations and victims and survivors to collaborate, share ideas and take forward actions to improve services. <BR /> <BR />Everyone across society has a role to play in tackling domestic and sexual abuse. It is vital that we all step up to the plate.”
“So many victims and survivors refuse to come forward out of shame or fear for their safety. It is an inescapable fact that domestic violence has permeated the fabric of our society, be it physical, psychological or financial abuse; coercive control; sexual violence; or any other intimidation or threat. <BR /> <BR />The Housing Executive has organised various opportunities for people to come together and reflect on the victims of violence and the survivors who have suffered, including a candlelit vigil in Lisburn last night, which my colleagues attended; a panel to reflect on the impact of domestic abuse on our society; and progress on initiatives such as the Housing Executive's Sanctuary scheme. <BR /> <BR />Abuse can be experienced by anyone, no matter their gender, in a range of different types of relationships and circumstances.”
“I welcome the Housing Executive's first ever Domestic Abuse Awareness Week. Its aims are vital: to raise awareness of the connection between domestic abuse and homelessness; to highlight the support services that are available to those experiencing domestic abuse; and to echo a message that, I am sure, all of us across the Chamber agree on: "home" should mean "safe". <BR /> <BR />Data released last month revealed that, from July 2024 to June 2025, 29,740 domestic abuse incidents were reported in Northern Ireland; that is 15 per 1,000 in our population. Last December, the Housing Executive shared that, each year, it helps over 1,000 households who present as homeless due to domestic abuse. Startling though they are, we know that those numbers are not a true reflection of the scale of domestic abuse in our communities.”
“Minister, I share your concern about the unacceptable levels of pollution in Belfast lough. Will you provide an update on the investigation into the sources of pollution in Ballyholme bay?”
“Minister, will you outline the support that your Department provides for the victims of sexual offences?”
“The motion does not come across as a criticism of the Justice Minister or the Department of Justice as a whole, but in fact of all justice agencies that sit on the Criminal Justice Board. It neglects the specific progress that has been made, as referenced in the report, or others, including the unannounced inspection of Hydebank Wood Secure College, which was published in the same month and highlighted Hydebank as "an impressive institution". I do not accept that the report is damning, as the proposer puts forward. As such, Alliance will not vote in favour of the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />The report also outlines some of the difficulties that the criminal justice system has experienced since the devolution of policing and justice, none of which should sound particularly unfamiliar to any of us. Some of those noted include Executive collapse, which resulted in gaps with no ministerial leadership; the Department of Justice's historically lacking budgetary position; and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. What do all those difficulties have in common? It is that they also rely on the actions and agency of other political parties across the Chamber. The motion seems to neglect that. If we really want to commit, as an Assembly, to transforming the criminal justice system, there should be a commitment to staying in government to give all this work the best chance at success. <BR /> <BR />I want to be clear.”
“As it stands, the Criminal Justice Board is brought together by terms of reference rather than through a specific, shared vision piece as the report recommended. Therefore, whilst it does not have executive decision-making powers, it has an excellent foundation of positive relationships between senior leaders across justice agencies. Their openness to collaboration with each other and with the DOJ has resulted in action where cross-system response is most needed. A particular example is the Department's work on speeding up justice, as in the Programme for Government, to enable efficiency and deal with the delays that the motion mentions.”
“That acceptance shows the Minister's willingness to reflect on the expertise and findings of the inspector and shows her Department's dedication to delivering real transformation. The Minister is also on public record on numerous instances stating that the work is under way and will be shared when complete. However, that work can take time, particularly when it involves consultation with operationally independent bodies that have competing work priorities, all with their own needs and budgetary asks. Whilst it is work in progress, good work is being done.”
“Justice agencies that are unable to be consistently funded to the level of actual need can create delays and long-lasting damage that cannot be undone in one Budget cycle. The report also shone a light on examples of where collaboration and shared goals have persisted and where improvement has occurred: for example, modernising systems through impactful digital platforms or the transitioning to the youth justice strategy. <BR /> <BR />Following the publication of the Criminal Justice Inspection's report, it is on public record that the Minister and her officials carefully considered the recommendations and, in May this year, accepted the strategic recommendation that iterated the need for shared strategic priorities across the criminal justice sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />Inspections are about continuous progress and improvement and building on the learnings of the past to ensure a better future. That was emphasised by the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice when I met her earlier this year. The work that her office completes is vital for proper assurance for the systems that govern criminal justice. <BR /> <BR />The CJI report that the motion references intends to provide a high-level strategic overview of transformation work across the criminal justice system. Its publication was welcomed across the spectrum of parties in the Assembly, including my party, Alliance. It also reiterates what so many of us already know, namely that silo working across government or partners of government can contribute to problems with its effective functioning.”
“Shared goals and a shared vision across all criminal justice agencies is essential for delivering effective public services and building safer communities in Northern Ireland. Any transformation or change to our criminal justice system must have the needs of victims and the public at its heart. That is how we will ensure full confidence and trust in the system for years to come. I and my party sympathise with the elements of the motion that embody that perspective. However, Alliance is not in a position to support the motion as it stands. It does not encapsulate the full picture of progress at hand. A motion entitled "Failure to Transform the Criminal Justice System" is one that focuses on blame rather than on the real-time progress that is being made.”
“I thank the Minister. I am concerned that Target Ovarian Cancer has found that 50% of women in Northern Ireland think that their cervical smear test will detect ovarian cancer. Will he commit to meeting me and Target Ovarian Cancer to discuss that further, as well as other action that we can take in order to improve outcomes for women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer?”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Minister, do you agree that the reason why there are so many vacancies in social work is that many social workers feel that there is a bureaucratic overburdening on them? What is your Department doing to ensure that they can have more face-to-face time with their clients?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. What learning is your Department taking from the process with regard to securing contributions for support services and redress for those impacted by mother-and-baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses?”
“In my constituency of North Down, I was deeply saddened to see instances of hateful graffiti, target signs sprayed on doors and families intimidated in their homes. Imagine being the intended audience for that. It is not good enough. It does not represent the Northern Ireland or North Down that I know, which is my home and a welcoming place. I know that most of the citizens of Northern Ireland are disgusted and outraged by those incidents. I urge Members to vote for the Alliance amendment. Ultimately, let us make this a turning point for our Executive and Assembly, a day when we get on to the same page and commit to doing something together.”
“While we can see that the Justice Minister has prioritised the stabilisation of police officer numbers, with the PSNI's receiving approximately 65% of her Department's budget, amongst other interventions, and that she is doing what she can with what she has, it must go further than being the responsibility of one Department. <BR /> <BR />I want to come back to those who are victims of hate. Behind each of those hate incidents and crimes — those that were reported and those that were not — are families and individuals who are scared. They are victims of horrendous intimidation. We were all appalled by the race-related rioting and intimidation that took place across Northern Ireland over the past few months.”
“I agree that the funding for those organisations should increase, but we cannot ignore the fact that the Department has historically suffered from significant underfunding, particularly during the past decade, with resources continuing to be stretched thin. Nobody has highlighted that or argued that point more than the Minister herself. Stormont's block grant has increased by 66% in the 14 years to 2025-26, but, by comparison, the Department of Justice's budget has grown by just over 25% in that time. Monetary challenges do not disappear in one budgetary year; undoing that legacy will be a long-lasting challenge.”
“Legislation like that which we have described today is just one way in which to tackle hate. The remainder of our amendment affirms support for the statutory and community sector under the Executive's programme on paramilitarism and organised crime, and for addressing the resourcing challenges across our justice system. Those challenges are acute. Justice and law and order are the foundation upon which our society is built. Alliance therefore welcomes the seemingly cross-party support for the greater resourcing for justice agencies that the motion could bring about. <BR /> <BR />However, I challenge the amendment that has been tabled by DUP colleagues, which places the responsibility for that work and the onus to provide additional resources to justice-related agencies wholly on the Justice Minister.”
“Judge Marrinan rightly highlighted his great disappointment at the delay that the legislation has faced, but drew attention to the fact that, given the Executive's collapse and statutory obligations for consultation, there was little more that Minister Long could have done legislatively by now other than what is being brought forward, and said that it will have "a profound impact". <BR /> <BR />Alliance is committed to bringing forward hate crime legislation in this mandate. We refuse to have our hands tied by the irresponsible stop-start government that is inflicted by other parties. We hope that everyone across the Chamber can support the upcoming measures so that we can build the safer communities that all members of our Executive promised in our Programme for Government.”
“The Justice Minister has always been committed to introducing legislation to tackle the unacceptable levels of hate in our society. The Minister and her Department are bringing that forward now, in the most efficient and effective way, through the upcoming sentencing Bill and victims and witnesses Bill. It is in that vein that I was gladdened to hear Judge Marrinan's words of fairness for the Department in the past month. He, of course, undertook the review of hate crime legislation five years ago.”
“However, without decisive action behind it and follow-through support from the representatives and political parties of every Minister, it is just that: a statement of words. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party amendment seeks to achieve a few different aims. First, it seeks to align support under the Justice Minister's current plan of action to introduce hate crime legislation in her upcoming Bills. More than that, it seeks to draw clear attention to the fact that the root causes of hate go beyond the parameters of our justice system alone. Ending hate is the responsibility of every Minister, Department, politician, agency and citizen in our society. There has been a lot of discussion in the Chamber over the past year of the best way to introduce new and tougher hate crime legislation.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank the leader of the Opposition and his SDLP colleagues for tabling the motion, as it is our responsibility as MLAs to seize every possible chance to raise the experiences of those victims. I hope that Members find our amendment constructive and an opportunity to strengthen and add to the content of the motion. I also hope that the debate is an opportunity to consolidate support across the Executive and the Assembly so that we can take real action to tackle the profound hate that we have seen in our community. It was positive to see joint statements from our Executive over the past year that called for calm and condemned all forms of racism, sectarianism and hostility towards individuals of different backgrounds.”
“Those incidents are not just a statistic, but they are extraordinarily rising, despite probably still being under-reported. From June 2024 to June 2025, 646 more race incidents and 434 more race crimes were recorded than in the previous year. That is the highest level in a dataset that we have seen since 2004, 21 years ago. That same police data also suggests that, compared with previous years, fewer incidents of hate were committed in the name of sexual orientation, transgender identity, sectarianism and disability. However, I worry that that might be as a result of a potential decrease in those affected coming forward and having the confidence to even make that initial report of a crime.”
“Thank you, Deputy Speaker. When we distil what our responsibilities in the Assembly are and go back to the basics, it is clear that our foundational responsibility as political representatives is to do everything that we can to protect vulnerable people across our society, no matter their race, sexuality, ability or faith, and to ensure that those whom we serve in our constituencies and across Northern Ireland more widely have trust in the Government to protect them and that every person is given the best chance possible to lead a safe, fulfilling and happy life. <BR /> <BR />As I speak on the motion on the Executive's approach to hate and propose the Alliance Party's amendment, I stand in disbelief and horror at the continuing hate incidents that people across our communities face.”
“Will the Minister please outline the role that pre-release testing plays in the rehabilitation of offenders?”
“Thank you, Minister. I appreciate your words of condolence for Jaidyn's family. Her loss was absolutely horrendous and tragic for her family. Will you give a commitment to Jaidyn's family and the community in Bangor that their voices will be heard, that the incident will be taken seriously in your Department and that you will do everything in your power to ensure that we do not lose another life there?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. As I am sure that he knows, nurses support children with the most complex medical needs. Will he make the case to the Health Minister that they should not only be retained in schools but reinstated in schools that have removed them?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. That is welcome progress. Can she provide reassurance that the most recent draft has the full backing of groups of victims and survivors?”
“As a member of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, I put on record my thanks to Dr Melissa McCullough as she leaves the role of the Assembly Commissioner for Standards. I found Melissa to be extremely professional and diligent in her role, and I always appreciated her willingness to engage with the Committee, explaining her findings and answering any questions that we had. I also welcome the appointment of Mark McEwan and wish him well as the incoming Commissioner for Standards. It is, without a doubt, a challenging position but an extremely important one.”
“I urge anybody with information to come forward, contact the PSNI or reach out anonymously to Crimestoppers. Sarah was the twenty-seventh woman to have been killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. Our rates of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland are shockingly high, and that is completely unacceptable. It needs to be a priority for our Executive and the whole House. We all have a role to play in preventing violence and abuse towards women in our society. I know that people in the local community are shocked by this incident, and we are all thinking of Sarah's loved ones at this time.”
“I wish to pay my condolences to the family of 27-year-old Sarah Montgomery, who was found dead in her home in Donaghadee over the weekend. The police have launched a murder investigation. This is an absolutely tragic loss. My thoughts, first and foremost, are with Sarah's loved ones, her family and, of course, her two little children, who now have to grow up without their mummy. Sarah was also pregnant at the time that she was killed. Her death is a horrendous and tragic loss, and I know that the people of Donaghadee are shocked by it. Tributes that have been left outside her home describe Sarah as beautiful, kind and a wonderful mother. <BR /> <BR />I spoke to the police about the incident over the weekend. It is extremely important that they are given the time and space to investigate it fully.”
“The lack of connectivity in the area due to the restricted availability of public transport services plays a role there, and I note the concerns that have been raised by the local MLAs about custody suites. I hope that they will get some reassurance from the PSNI on that, as I know that the Minister will not be able to speak on behalf of the PSNI. That highlights the role that other Departments and agencies have in ensuring access to justice in our society. Alliance is committed to working with everyone across the Chamber and beyond to resolve these issues. Accessing legal services and any other essential service in Northern Ireland should not be a postcode lottery.”
“I am particularly concerned about the practicalities of victims and survivors of domestic abuse being able to seek support, legal advice and representation in order to safely disengage from harmful relationships and continue to be safe after that initial breakaway. For some victims and survivors, that step would not be possible without local support in accessing an incredibly intensive string of protective orders or restraining procedures to establish child custody and residency. Travelling hours at a time for that support is costly, both in money and time. <BR /> <BR />The rurality of Fermanagh and South Tyrone deepens the intensity of the gap in access to justice provision compared with more urban areas.”
“The Department of Justice is taking welcome steps to increase that access through a package of reforms, including the adjustment of mileage rates for legal aid practitioners, working with the legal profession to ensure its attractiveness to young professionals and reviewing legal aid remuneration. That work is needed across Northern Ireland. What threatens the Justice Minister's ambitious vision for the justice system, however, is a lack of funds to make it all happen. As a proportion of the block grant, the Department of Justice's allocation is now less than it was in 2011. Although this year's Budget allocation was welcome, it needs to be sustained and consistently increased over the coming years so that a real impact can be made. <BR /> <BR />Access to justice needs to be viewed as part of our social security network.”
“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I will contribute some short remarks on access to justice and legal services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Obviously, I am not an MLA for that area, but, as a member of the Justice Committee, I recognise how important that issue is. I thank Diana Armstrong for securing the debate this evening, putting a spotlight on these issues and highlighting the importance of high-quality legal and justice-related provision across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />It is imperative that, no matter where you live, you are able to access legal support in a timely and sensitive manner.”
“Minister, will you outline what action your Department is taking to prevent the harmful and abusive behaviours that are linked to domestic abuse?”
“We need to address the fact that victims and witnesses deserve an understanding of the process that they have just gone through. The draft victims and witnesses of crime strategy 2025-2030 will support that happening, as it includes a dedicated pillar on empowering victims to understand criminal justice decisions. We need to deliver for victims and witnesses in criminal and civil proceedings. A deeper and more public understanding of sentencing plays a core role in doing just that.”
“<BR /> <BR />I introduce into the debate the need to increase the visibility of what happens inside our courts, including an exploration of broadcasting certain proceedings while at the same time protecting vulnerable witnesses. In that context, I welcome the Department's consultation on the broadcasting of court proceedings, with its proposals that aim to support open justice, improve transparency in the conduct of court business and enhance public confidence and trust in the justice system. <BR /> <BR />The results of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime's victim survey from 2023-24 showed that 50% of those who responded:”
“Sinn Féin's amendment goes some way to encapsulating the next steps after a sentence is issued. To truly reduce reoffending and improve sentencing practice, recognising the need for true cross-government and multi-agency collaboration is instrumental. The 2023 Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) report 'Reducing Adult Reoffending in Northern Ireland' also highlights why the commitment to a cross-departmental strategy on reducing reoffending in the Programme for Government is so important. The Minister of Justice is already taking proactive steps on the issues that the motion sets out. She has already announced her intention to introduce a sentencing Bill as part of her legislative programme for this mandate, alongside undertaking a wider review of sentencing issues.”
“What is important, however, on the road to developing and improving sentencing practice is how those sentences are communicated and followed up on. It is in that space that public confidence is built. The decision taken on an alleged offence and the consequences of that must be appropriately communicated to the victims and witnesses, who should be at the centre of our decision-making.”
“It is paramount to underline at this stage that it is our role as legislators to set the sentence maxima for each offence that the court encounters, whereas sentencing decisions on the whole are determined by the independent judiciary on the basis of the circumstances of each case and the sentencing guidance that is available. The separation of those powers is important in a healthy, democratic society. <BR /> <BR />An important point that is not in the motion is that it is within the PPS's gift to refer sentences to the Court of Appeal if it believes that they are unduly lenient. About two thirds of Crown Court cases are eligible for referral, and the pending sentencing Bill will extend that further. <BR /> <BR />The judiciary have a wide range of potential sentences at their disposal.”
“Sentencing practice is an integral cog in our wider justice machinery, and getting it right is essential to ensuring public trust and confidence in Northern Ireland's governance. I am pleased that we have the opportunity to debate this important subject today. <BR /> <BR />As the motion acknowledges, there will always be complex cases, each with its individualities, that come before the judiciary. Essential to that process is ensuring that judges are as well equipped as possible to make fair, balanced and substantiated decisions. Judges must be supported in that through guidance and professional development in evolving areas of legislation and practice, and delivering that is a matter for the Lady Chief Justice.”
“Alliance is committed to working collectively to ensure that those who put our communities at risk and exploit vulnerable people for their own gain do not go unchallenged. The principles of the motion will allow the Assembly to protect the people whom we serve. I hope that that is why colleagues across the Chamber will vote positively today.”
“Once it becomes law, it is vital that the Department and its operational partners work collectively to ensure its successful implementation. Establishing a framework to allow for the sharing of trailer registration information with specific government bodies is a practical and useful tool for the detection of crime, and the provisions relating to serious crime more broadly expand the legislative apparatus to tackle criminality across the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />Passing the motion will send a clear message from the Assembly to all those who are engaged in criminality that we will do everything that is within our gift as political representatives to prevent and intervene in their activities.”
“I put on record my support and that of my Alliance colleagues for the legislative consent motion endorsing the extension of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to Northern Ireland. Whilst it is, of course, preferable to legislate on devolved matters through an Assembly Bill, legislative consent motions have an important role to play in providing a timely and reasonable approach to how we across the Chamber ensure that Northern Ireland has much-needed provisions that deliver for the benefit of the public. <BR /> <BR />The measures in the Bill that are relevant to the Department of Justice are about enabling more effective interventions to protect UK border security, making it easier for police and defence forces to disrupt and detect those who are engaged in crime. The Bill is incredibly pertinent to national security.”
“The clarity that the offence brings can help us to improve police data collection and increase our understanding of the prevalence of spiking in our clubs, bars, nightlife and even our homes. Such understanding will mean that we can better tackle its occurrence and protect victims. <BR /> <BR />The Bill will allow the better protection of all our constituents, giving additional tools to police to deal with the outworkings and detection of crime. I hope that all across the Chamber will join Alliance in passing the LCM.”
“<BR /> <BR />Many across the House know that a particular focus of mine is on how we can work across government to tackle violence against women and girls. In that vein, it would be remiss of me not to draw attention to the opportunity that the Bill has created for the Minister to deliver a new stand-alone offence of spiking, of which women and girls make up the majority of victims. Spiking is truly an abhorrent act. Many of us across the Chamber will know someone who has experienced that atrocious crime, yet, at the same time, research by Drinkaware shows that 90% of drink-spiking incidents across the UK go unreported. Alliance is committed to supporting all victims of crime. The creation of the spiking offence will help to reverse that under-reporting and act as a powerful deterrent for those who seek to take advantage of others.”
“I will put on record some short remarks on the principle of extending the Crime and Policing Bill to Northern Ireland through the legislative consent motion. <BR /> <BR />The Bill covers a broad range of devolved matters that will play a key role in ensuring public order and enabling deeper safety across our communities. Given the constricted length of the mandate and its shorter accompanying legislative programme, the Bill provides a key opportunity for the Minister and her Department to make progress and provide additional protection for vulnerable people. That includes the integral creation of offences that will protect our children and young people through the criminalisation of possession of advice or guidance about creating child sex abuse images.”
“Thank you, Minister. Will the Minister outline some of the specific successes of the joint agency task force in 2024-25?”