Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill

I support the noble Lord’s remarks and the amendment, understanding his reasoning behind it. Those who take an interest in Northern Ireland in my party in your Lordships' House and another place are as concerned about this issue as about any of the remaining concerns within the general Northern Ireland political situation. It came up frequently among members of our party in Northern Ireland during the recent elections. The issue must be attended to—and I think I can say that conversations have taken place between the Secretary of State and the shadow Secretary of State about this at different times over the past months. I know that David Lidington MP is very concerned about where the Government are going on this. I do not wish to be unkind, but I am going to be. I can put it as strongly as this: we do not trust the Government on this issue. It is not often we say that with regard to Northern Ireland affairs, but this is a very serious issue, as the noble Lord, Lord Trimble, pointed out. I do not intend to repeat anything that he said—but somebody in the Northern Ireland Office and the Government has to get a grip on this while there is time.