Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice whether she has been formally consulted by the UK Government regarding the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill 2019-21; and, if so, whether she will publish (i) her Department’s response; and (ii) details of any other correspondence or discussions she has had with UK ministers regarding this.
Minister of Justice: I have not been formally consulted regarding the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill. The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP wrote to inform me of his intention to introduce the Bill. I have not had any further correspondence or discussions on this matter.
The Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill is a UK wide Bill which relates to reserved or excepted matters in Northern Ireland and is therefore outside the scope of the Department of Justice.
ENDS
Your MLA 