McCune addresses Criminal Justice System Stakeholders
Ulster Unionist Spokesperson Rodney McCune addressed stakeholders in the criminal justice system at the CSJNI Annual Conference. Rodney McCune said:
“Crime, and in particular violent crime, continues to be far too prevalent in Northern Ireland society, our prisons are awash with drugs, our courts system is not operating with the required efficiency, sentencing fails to command public confidence and we are about to be subjected to Community Support Officers.”
“My Party is in a very different position than the other main Northern Ireland Parties. We have been the only Party consistently urging caution on this issue and the only Party urging sensible and proper consideration of the implications –that includes the negatives as well as the potential positives. A persuasive case for wholesale devolution of criminal justice as early as next year has yet to be made –even today.
The problems facing the system are real and pressing. These problems should not have to wait for devolution of criminal justice –nor is devolution of criminal justice a pre-requisite to problems been tackled and being solved. Ulster Unionists will continue play a constructive role in the debate on the present and future of criminal justice –working towards a system that operates efficiently and commands public confidence.”