Question Time: Justice Tuesday 21 April 2015
What other budget-saving
measures or revenue raising opportunities have been explored before consulting
on the closure
of courts? One of the topics discussed during today’s
Questions to the Minister of Justice, David Ford. The Minister confirmed
that the NI Courts and Tribunals Service “reviewed all areas of expenditure to
minimise the impact of budget reductions on front-line delivery.” This resulted
in £4.4m (equivalent to 10.8% of the budget) worth of savings being identified
in existing contracts, reducing leased accommodation, the temporary closure of
the Old Townhall Building in Belfast, staff cuts and reducing judicial
expenditure. These savings will be implemented over the next two financial
years. The Courts and Tribunals Service is also considering increasing court
fees as a means of raising revenue. Mr Ford argued that the process of closing
courthouses was not a decision but rather “a consultation on the back of a very
difficult financial situation for the Department of Justice and the savings
that have to be made across the Courts and Tribunals Service.”
During
Topical Questions the Minister was also asked about lethal legal highs
following the recent
tragic death of young Adam Owens in Newtownards. Mr Ford was quick to
extend his sympathies to the Owens family but pointed out that, as the Misuse
of Drugs Act is not a devolved matter, he has limited powers when it comes to
making these new psychoactive drugs illegal. However he has been working with
local councils to use consumer safety legislation to address the issue and has
been lobbying the Home Office in an effort “to get it to take the matter
seriously”. Mr Ford intends to consult with the appropriate Minister after the
Westminster elections “to find legislation that actually deals with the reality
on the ground and the tragedies that people have suffered in Northern Ireland”,
adding that, “we must not allow the niceties of legislation or the occasional
changing of a molecule in the chemical composition to obstruct the efforts of
law enforcement agencies to protect people”.
During
Question Time the Minister also answered Members’ questions on Magilligan
prison, legal aid, the pilot scheme for indictable cases and legislation
concerning fatal foetal abnormality.
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