Question
To ask the Chief Constable to advise of meetings and communications, if any, and their content between the PSNI and the NIO and other British Government departments in relation to the content of the legacy bill and its future operation and implementation?
Answer
- The Chief Constable and the Head of Legacy & Disclosure Branch have met with representatives from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) to discuss the Legacy Bill on a number of occasions.
- The purpose of these meetings have been to provide NIO with knowledge and understanding of the complexities and sensitives of Legacy related matters that are currently a responsibility of the Police Service. Further meetings are planned with the NIO to provide further assistance in their development of systems and processes they determine may be required following enactment of legislation arising from the Legacy Bill.
- The independence of the Police Service from the design and implementation of any new systems and processes has been accepted by the NIO. We are, however, providing the NIO with information of both a qualitative and quantitative nature so that they have an evidence base from which they are able to design new ways of working following enactment of the Legacy Bill e.g. the current levels of demand, the sensitive nature of some materials held by the Service relevant to legacy matters and stakeholder engagement/information structures currently in place.
Mark H Durkan - SDLP