Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill

I speak in support of my hon. Friend the Member for South Down (Mr. McGrady) on amendment No. 17 and I will also address some of the other amendments in the group. Amendments Nos. 19 and 23 are designed to ensure that the commission’s investigatory powers are enforceable in reality. If investigative powers are to be meaningful, a key issue is the sanction that can be applied. If the sanction is weak, the investigative powers are consequently and equally weak.