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Devolution of justice: part 2010

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Keeping with the theme of the Devolution of Justice, it’s appropiate at this stage to highlight the internal scrambling of SF on the issue. Where to start……

In the Assembly, SF is content to attack the SDLP to attempt to cover their many contradictions and weaknesses; claiming that we are attempting to serve our own interests in the issue of the allocation of the ministry.

You couldn’t make it up. SF; the party responsible for effectively collapsing the government for five months because they didn’t get their own way accuse the SDLP of being self serving!

We have made our position very clear. The method that the DUP conned SF into adopting for the allocation of the post is a major digression from the Good Friday Agreement. An agreement supported by the majority of the Irish people in a referendum. The SDLP is right and proper to oppose that method. Power Sharing and proportionality are fundamental pillars of the GFA and SF is blindly assisting the DUP in picking apart the agreement.

Alban Maginness said it well when he said ‘If we depart from d’Hondt, we effectively undermine and weaken partnership in this institution…It is also the fairest way to bring about proper representation and a level of input from every significant political opinion. If we abandon that, we abandon fairness…The SDLP is committed to d’Hondt and would like, in the first instance, d’Hondt to be completely rerun. If that is required, let us do that. If that cannot be achieved, let us top up d’Hondt ‘

It couldn’t be made any clearer that it’s not about the SDLP, but about the hard fought protections under the GFA that SF are giving away.

So John O’Dowd then outlined that SF are not selling out power sharing and that an SDLP member could apply for the post. But they needed a CV. And they needed to take that CV to Peter Robinson.

Wait. What? What did John O’Dowd say? Did he just say that in order for a nationalist to become Justice Minister; they have to prepare a CV, take their CV to Peter Robinson, a Unionist, and await an answer?

That’s outlined in the GFA where exactly? What do you think his answer would be?

SF are in a spin (pun) over this. They held their special Ard Fheis in 2007 and passed a motion to sign up to policing with the provision that Justice would be devolved by May 2008. It’s now the end of 2009. We’ll soon be in 2010.

It seems their “chief negotiator” is doing well then (on this, and everything/anything else).

Posted in Alban Maguinness, Assembly, DUP, Justice, Policing, SDLP, Sinn Fein | No Comments »

Eye on the Hill – Devolution of Justice

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Gregory Campbell has said that it will be a number of years yet before we successfully devolve justice powers to Northern Ireland.

Martin McGuinness has said that there will be severe political consequences if there isn’t a date for devolution before Christmas (which is funny, considering earlier this month they voted down an SDLP motion calling for just that – but we’ll park that).

I suppose this is the definition of a stalemate really. Just like everything else in the DUP/SF dominated Executive at the minute.

It’s quite obvious that Peter Robinson is having internal difficulties with his own party, the Dodds and Campbells and the like. While he needed, and was quite content I should add, to use them to get what he wanted (the top job), he is now faced with an internal power struggle against those very people he needed to oust Paisley. Hence Campbell putting down a maker.

Add that to the fact that Robinson knows that the best method of challenging the TUV is to go to the electorate with a record of delivery, delivery that is noticeable and that makes a difference to the general public. Something he is failing to do.

So he has turned to blaming the institutions for those failures. He claims that they are not designed to deliver fast or work properly. What he fails to mention though is that the ‘mutual veto’ (the mechanism holding everything up) is the mechanism that he negotiated at St. Andrew’s and that his party and Sinn Fein were happy with. Attacking the institutions is so transparent and pretty weak from the leader of the largest party.

On the one hand, the TUV are breathing down his neck and on the other SF are holding up progress (equal to the DUP, on different issues). To blame the system and not address the issues in his own party he will soon find to be a flawed strategy.

People are beyond the point of accepting the argument that “it’s the system, not us” and just want value for money and delivery from their government. The fact is, this is the system these parties wanted and they are both culpable for the failure to deliver. The institutions work, it’s the dominant parties running them that don’t.

We all know that. Change of tactic for Mr Robinson I would presume.

Posted in Assembly, DUP, Executive, Justice, Policing, SDLP, Sinn Fein, TUV | 2 Comments »

Making Communities Safer; Making Society Stronger

Friday, September 11th, 2009

On Wednesday 9 September the SDLP launched proposals for a radical overhaul of how our youth justice system should work here in the north.

The conference was addressed by a diverse section of people; some within the youth justice system and others outside, including those who felt failed by aspects of the wider justice system.

The PSNI, Youth Justice Agency, Include Youth, Children’s Law Centre, NIACRO and Sarah Holland all took part and gave invaluable contributions and testimonies and for that I thank them.

We all know that there are some serious issues surrounding the whole process of the devolution of justice, including the unnecessary and damaging delay. The SDLP has been consistent in highlighting those issues and challenging those most responsible for delivery. The conference heard in the strongest terms condemnation of those responsible, namely Sinn Fein and the DUP. While they may think it’s fine to play politics and position themselves using this issue, the SDLP believes these issues are much too important to play politics with.

When you hear the failures of the system from the Holland family and how they where let down, and realise that the only plausible way for reform is devolution, it’s time the two parties, if they really are serious about community safety, get their acts together.

Another message really needs to sink in to these parties – while devolution of justice is important, what is equally important is having the right policies in place to reform the system when we do get those powers. Because as it stands the system is simply not delivering to its full potential. The SDLP has outlined our youth justice policy, and we will be rolling out a program of work around it, as well as other key aspects of the justice system over the coming months; we suggest other parties listen up and follow suit.

A journalist very recently labeled the SDLP the “Social Democratic and Lock ‘Em Up Party” when it comes to tackling justice and crime; claiming we have no consistant policies when it comes to justice. That journalist was invited on Wednesday, but unfortunately was unable to attend. I’d be happy to sit down with him anytime to go over my Party’s consistant positions on criminal justice, and let him have the opportunity to acknowledge his mistake.

Back in Febuary of this year I blogged about the SDLP proposals which are here.

Posted in DUP, Justice, SDLP, Sinn Fein, Youth | No Comments »

Miscarrages of Justice – SDLP Newry Event

Monday, April 20th, 2009

As regular readers of no gloss just matt will be aware, SDLP in West Belfast held a Miscarriages of Justice event at the SDLP Annual Conference. The event was very successful and very well attended.

The atmosphere of the event, due to the speakers very moving contributions, was poignant, and the SDLP agreed to follow this up with another similar event for those who where not able to attend the one in Armagh.

SDLP Newry have now arranged an event to be held this Wednesday in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry at 7.30pm. Everyone is invited.

Speakers include, no gloss just matt contributor Gerry Conlon of the Gilford Four, Breege Quinn, who’s son Paul Quinn was murdered with no one brought to justice, Raymond McCord, who’s son Raymond McCord Jnr was murdered and Anne Morgan, who’s brother, Seamus Ruddy is one of the disappeared.

The event will be chaired by the SDLP’s Alban Maguinness MLA, the party’s European Candidate and Justice Spokesperson.

If you couldn’t get to the event in Armagh in January, or if you are interested in the (lack of) Justice processes in NI relating the troubles/paramilitaries, or if you want to hear moving personal testimonies from tireless campaigners for justice, I would highly recommend that you try and attend.

Posted in Alban Maguinness, Gerry Conlon, Justice, Newry, Oversight, Paramilitaries, Peace, Policing, SDLP, Troubles, West Belfast | 1 Comment »

Photos of SDLP Seminar

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

SDLP European Candidate Alban Maguinness MLA with John Ware and Michael Gallagher

Margaret Ritchie MLA, Minister for Social Development

Dolores Kelly MLA with John Ware and Barney Rowan

Alex Attwood MLA with Dame Nuala O'Loan

MArk Durkan MP MLA closing the Seminar

Posted in Justice, Oversight, Paramilitaries, Peace, Policing, SDLP, West Belfast | No Comments »

Policing and it’s oversight at times of threat – Seminar overview!

Monday, March 30th, 2009

The audiance was healthy in number and dynamic in composition – that’s those who where present for an SDLP Seminar in St. Mary’s College on the Falls Road focusing on Policing and it’s oversight at times of threat.

The Seminar boasted some very high profile and informed panellists such as John Ware, Barney Rowan and Dame Nuala O’Loan. There were fascinating accounts of real life tragedies and struggles from contributors such as Michael Gallagher and Brendan Duddy.

A very adept account of particular aspects of the event has already been written, click here and here to view.

For the second time this year (and probably ever) I was reading an opinion piece by Newton Emerson in the Irish News and said, ‘he’s got a point here.’ (Below)

accountability-only-way-to-draw-out-toxic-intelligence

There was an overwhelming consensus in the room, coming from the speakers and the mood of those present that robust oversight is needed to monitor the intelligence services – right now virtually none exists. As Professior Colin Harvey of QUB said at the Seminar, ‘is it right that a police officer is subject to far reaching accountability measures and the intelligence officer they happen to be working with is subject to virtually none? Of course not!’

That was very much the consensus. But there was also a feeling in the room – that for whatever reason the intelligence services have continually escaped proper scrutiny, that that will always remain the case. There are too many vested interests, particularly in Northern Ireland, for doors to be opened or lights shone in dark corners. As Barney Rowan said, the governments have an interest in keeping the light off, as do Loyalist and Republican paramilitaries.

As Newton Emerson said in his article ‘ Currently, the peace process approach to intelligence is to build a wall between it and policing so that policing can be made accountable without compromising intelligence. This is why surveillance of dissidents now falls to MI5. Sinn Fein fully endorses this policy, to the point of making a bogus distinction between intelligence and “civic policing”.

Not only does Sinn Fein endorse this separation of accountability, effectively meaning robust oversight of policing and none of the spooks - but they negotiated it! It makes one wonder about those vested interests. And with the presence of Alex Maskey and Bobby Storey at the Seminar on Saturday, one wonders a little more?!

It truely was a dirty war, but people such as the families of those murdered in the Omagh bomb should not have to pay the price of no scrutiny, while undoubtedly others reap the rewards.

Posted in Justice, Oversight, Paramilitaries, Peace, Policing, SDLP, Troubles, West Belfast | No Comments »

POLICING AND IT’S OVERSIGHT AT TIMES OF THREAT

Friday, March 27th, 2009

I want to draw people’s attention, (albeit at this late stage) to the SDLP seminar on ‘Policing and it’s Oversight at times of threat.

The details are here.

The calibre of the speakers and the theme of the event speaks for itself. It will prove to be a very informative and worthwhile event.

For those that can’t make it but want to, I will be providing an overview of the content of each of the speakers speeches, and of the seminar in general after the event.

Throughout the event I will also be ‘twittering’.

Posted in Justice, Matthew McDermott, Oversight, Policing, SDLP | No Comments »

FAREWELL TO THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

It’s not too often that I agree with the views of Newton Emerson but when I read his column in the Irish News on Saturday I couldn’t help agree…..to a degree.

‘ SO Farewell then to the Good Friday Agreement which has been effectively killed by new legislation on policing and justice. Should the bill rushed through Westminster on Monday pass (which it will) then a whole new method of appointing a Stormont minister will come into law, along with new precedents for removing a minister, replacing a minister and defining a ministerial portfolio….. 28/2/2009 Newton Emerson, Irish News

I have it on good authority that SF are regular readers of no gloss, just matt, so for their benefit I will explain what Newton means by saying farewell to the Good Friday Agreement.

I will outline below a basic lesson on conflict resolution and how SF have been the willing deputy for the DUP and really damaged the GFA ……

Conflicts by and large are, in one way or another, centred on three areas of contention, 1) Power and abuse thereof, 2) Human Rights and violations thereof and 3) policing and justice.

So to tackle point 1 Cue constitutional power sharing and PR elections.

Point 2 Cue Equality Commission, Human Rights Commission and the proposed Bill of Rights.

Point 3 Cue Patten reforms, criminal justice review and the devolution of justice.

Everyone knows that it has been a constant feature and desire of the DUP to tear down the structures of the GFA, and there is evidence of SF assisting the DUP in this:

1)St. Andrew’s, for example, by removing inclusiveness i.e. a Ministers ability to disagree with the Executive and stay in government.

2) The DUP constantly attack strand II, North/South and the best SF can do is say that it is tactical…because of the EU election. It’s not tactical, it’s strategic, wake up!

3) And now we have the Devolution of Justice….

SF have aided and abetted the DUP in removing one of the most fundamental pillars of the GFA - d’Hondt! Why? In my opinion ,because of a lack of judgement, a short term desire to out manoeuvre the SDLP (or so they believe) and bolster themselves (Party before the People – the Sinn Féin way).

Now that the DUP have been able to pick away at one of the most fundamental features of the GFA not only unhindered, but assisted, how can SF argue that they shouldn’t be allowed to do it to any other aspect of the Agreement?

Now I know SF are known for putting themselves before the people – but this is outrageous.

Therefore Newton is right in a sense, it would be ‘farewell to the agreement’ because of SF’s evident weaknesses, but while the SDLP have representation, the GFA is going no where…..

Posted in Assembly, DUP, Executive, Justice, SDLP, Sinn Fein | 2 Comments »

Anti Social Behaviour

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

Much of the media’s focus of late has been on the Eames – Bradley proposals, the non-national stadium and the Education Ministers unseen, unclear, confusing proposals/nonproposals/guidelines. And rightly so. These are all important issues in their own right and need proper scrutiny.

An issue I want to touch on is however Anti-Social Behaviour, an issue never far from the headlines and something at the top of everyone’s agenda in West Belfast, and across many parts of the north.

As mentioned below, one of the themes of the SDLP Conference was ‘miscarriages of justice.’ Looking back (and in some cases, not so far back – as the case of the Quinn’s demonstrates) to terrible inflictions of injustice, hearing personal testimonies and reflecting on the common humanity of all those affected. But what the SDLP conference also did - something that didn’t pick up as much media attention as it deserved – was adopt a new Youth Justice Policy.

The document outlines proposals to radically reform our failing youth justice system, a system in much need of reform. The document seeks to actively address the issue of anti-social behaviour.

It is not good enough to pretend to really address this issue, or as one senior member of CRJI once said to me, it’s not good enough for ‘ Gerry Adams to swoon into Ballymurphy with Hugh Orde and then f**k off, [solving nothing]‘.

The SDLP proposals are based on best practice, extensive research and have been widely consulted on.

I make no secret of the fact that I have no love for the so called ’safer neighbourhood projects’ who achieve nothing, contribute nothing and only move groups of young people from one place to another, in a not too friendly manner shall we say. (ohh…and I hear they’re keen on the old spray painting of walls). Some youth providers have said to me privately that in many instances they make the situation worse.

We are good at having fences built, walls erected, paths extinguished but not solving problems. While this is ok in itself, anti social behaviour is an issue that requires a long-term strategy and not a short term headline. It requires a strategy and not a soundbite.

Attached below is the document – described as ‘miles ahead of any political party in the north on this issue’ by a leading childrens charity working in the field of youth justice and of which comments are welcome.

sdlp-youth-justice-policy

Posted in Justice, SDLP, West Belfast | No Comments »

SDLP ANNUANL CONFERENCE ROUND UP

Monday, January 26th, 2009

I thought the conference went very well. Mark’s speech was good, but it usually is, only this time more people saw it as it was televised live on BBC.

One of the other themes of the conference was the ‘miscarriages of justice’ fringe organised by this branch and mentioned below.

The audience heard personal testimonies from the panelists, all victims in one way or another of miscarriages of justice, victims of provisionals denying justice, loyalists denying justice or the state denying justice.

The audience could not help but feel moved, it was dignified and raw. The emotions swirling around the room on Saturday afternoon touched everyone’s heart. All the speakers had a story to tell and a struggle to overcome.

The mother of Paul Quinn told the packed silent room that she thinks of ‘that shed’ where her sons life was taken everyday, she told of every bone in his body being broken, how he was calling out for help but no one came. Tears gathered at the corner of everyone’s eyes.

Briege Voyle spoke of the struggle of the families of the Ballymurphy Massacre of 1971. The ‘forgotten victims’. The same British Army regiment who took part in this barbaric act of cold blooded murder, where responsible for Bloody Sunday five months later. If this massacre had have been acted on, Bloody Sunday may have been prevented.

Paddy Hill and Gerry Conlon gave very lively and blunt accounts of their respective struggles. Some of which will be recounted by Gerry on this blog.

Raymond McCord outlined his struggle, the barriers he has to encounter on a daily basis and the threats he received and still receives, and how state organisations are preventing him from getting justice.

Reports from the Irish Times and the Irish News.

The common theme is that all these victims deserve justice, universal justice has no religion, no colour, gender or political alingnment. Universal justice is just that. Universal.

Posted in Gerry Conlon, Justice, SDLP | No Comments »

No Gloss – Just Matt!