Alliance welcomes restorative justice report

12.56.20pm GMT Thu 25th Jan 2007

Alliance Justice Spokesperson, Dr Stephen Farry

Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has welcomed the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report on the Community Restorative Justice schemes in Northern Ireland.

Stephen Farry said:

"This report is a valuable contribution to a critical debate. It further emphasises the need for two key safeguards in relation to community restorative justice schemes. These are essential is such schemes are to have public confidence.

"It is absolutely critical that such schemes work closely with the police. There can be no justification for any scheme trying to circumvent the lawful authorities. Such attempts would call into question the motives of those running schemes. Furthermore, it is important that vetting procedures are broader than simple checks on criminal records, and look at intelligence with respect to current involvement in paramilitary activity."

ENDS