When it is perceived to be in the public
the policies agreed by ministers in the
interest, the Police Ombudsman can also react to
North/South Ministerial Council. They deal with
incidents, even if no individual complaint has
waterways, food safety, trade and business
been made.
development, special European Union
programmes, marine matters, and language.
Review of criminal justice
In parallel with the work of the Commission on
■
The British-Irish Council aims to promote and
Policing, the Government carried out a review of
develop good relationships among all the
the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland in
peoples of the United Kingdom and Ireland. It
which political parties, interested bodies,
has representatives from the British and Irish
organisations and individuals were consulted. Its
Governments, the devolved institutions in
recommendations, published in March 2000, were
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and
subject to further consultation which ended the
others from the Channel Islands and the Isle of
following September and in November 2001 the
Man.
draft Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill was
published.
■
The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference’s
role is to promote bilateral co-operation on
Having consulted further on the measures in the
matters of mutual interest between the two
draft, the Government introduced the Justice
governments.
(Northern Ireland) Bill in the House of Commons
in December 2001 and it received Royal Assent in
July 2002. The Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002
Provisions contained in the Act have:
contains provisions to:
■
enhanced the police service’s accountability
■
amend the law relating to the judiciary and
through a new Policing Board to be made up
courts in Northern Ireland, including
of ten members of the Northern Ireland
provision for the creation of a Judicial
Assembly and nine independent members;
Appointments Commission and for the
removal of judges, changes to eligibility
■
given the Board powers to call for reports and
criteria, a new oath and provisions to make
initiate inquiries, and require it to monitor
the Lord Chief Justice head of the judiciary in
and assess police performance;
Northern Ireland;
■
provided for the establishment of new district
■
provide for the appointment of the Attorney
policing partnerships aimed at improving
General for Northern Ireland after devolution
local accountability;
of responsibility for justice matters to the
17
The United Kingdom and its people
3 Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Assembly (scheduled for
Human rights and equality
May 2003) and establish a public prosecution
The European Convention on Human Rights became
service;
part of Northern Ireland domestic law when the
Human Rights Act 1998 (see page 183) came into
■
establish a Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice
effect throughout the UK in October 2000.
and a Northern Ireland Law Commission;
A commitment to protect human rights and promote
■
set out the aims of the youth justice system
equality was central to the Belfast (Good Friday)
and make other provisions dealing with this
Agreement. The subsequent Northern Ireland Act
system, including extending it to 17 year olds;
1998 not only placed a statutory duty of equality on
all public authorities but also established the
■
provide for the disclosure of information
following bodies with specific responsibilities for
about the release of offenders in Northern
fostering equal opportunities and good community
Ireland to victims of crime and to confer on
relations:
victims the right to make representations in
relation to the temporary release of offenders;
■
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
and
– to give advice to the Government and the
Northern Ireland Assembly on human rights
■
provide for measures in relation to
issues, particularly on any need for legislation to
community safety.
protect human rights.
Economy
■
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland –
Northern Ireland accounts for 2.2 per cent of UK
to be responsible for fair employment, equal
gross domestic product (GDP). GDP rose from
opportunities, racial equality, disability issues and
£9.3 billion in 1989 to £17.0 billion in 1999 (at
enforcing the statutory duty of equality on public
current prices), an increase of 82 per cent. In 1999
authorities.
GDP per head in Northern Ireland was 77.5 per
cent of the UK average, an increase from 74.7 per
■
The Parades Commission – to help implement
cent in 1989. Between 1989 and 1999 real GDP
the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act
per head increased by 20.8 per cent in Northern
1998, the purpose of which is to regulate public