To ask the Minister of Justice (i) for her assessment of how the functions of her Department, which require ministerial approval, will be impacted by a vacancy in the Ministerial office, post 28 October 2022; and (ii) to list the upcoming issues of importance that will be impacted by a vacancy in the Ministerial office.

Following my appointment as Minister of Justice on 3 February 2024, I look forward to being able to advance a number of important issues relating to the work of the Department of Justice.

In the absence of a Minister since 28 October 2022, it was not possible to progress a number of issues within the Department including inter alia:

Agreement of a way forward following public consultation on the future use of audio and video links within courts and completion of Assembly procedures relating to six-monthly extensions of current provisions.

Agreement of a way forward following public consultation on the future use of audio and video links within courts and completion of Assembly procedures relating to six-monthly extensions of current provisions.

Agreement of a way forward following a Call for Evidence on Abuse of Position of Trust.

Decision on policy options in relation to coronial investigations into deaths abroad.

A number of decisions were taken, however, by senior Departmental officials under the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022 when considered in the public interest. Details of decisions taken by senior officials that would normally have been taken by a Minister are available from here: www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/articles/reports-decisions-taken-by-northern-ireland-departments