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SDLP nominate Ritchie for Justice Minister position

The SDLP today (Fri) confirmed that party leader Mark Durkan MP MLA has written to the First Minister and deputy First Minister nominating Margaret Ritchie MLA for the position of Minister for the Department of Justice.

Fri 11th December

A party spokesman said: “The SDLP’s preferred position in relation to the appointment of a Minister for the Department of Justice is a matter of public record.

 

“We believe the d’hondt mechanism, the means of democratic inclusion according to mandate that is laid down in law and in the Good Friday Agreement, should be followed.

 

“SDLP leader Mark Durkan MP MLA has now written to both the First Minister and the deputy First Minister on behalf of the party, proposing Margaret Ritchie MLA for the post of Justice Minister.

 

“Mr Durkan has indicated his willingness to attend any of meetings of party leaders which they jointly call to commend our candidate to other parties.

 

“Moreover, the SDLP will nominate our candidate in the Assembly when nominations are tabled at the point of actual devolution.

 

“The SDLP are also happy to be represented at further talks on the devolution of policing and justice.

 

“We are anxious to discuss outstanding issues surrounding the transfer of policing and justice powers, including the make-up of the department, work programming, staffing, understanding of the appropriate locus of the Executive, protecting the Patten architecture and addressing other relevant relationships and protocols which we raised during consideration of the Department of Justice Bill."

Margaret Ritchie

Margaret Ritchie MP, Westminster

Email m.ritchie@sdlp.ie
Tel 028 4461 2882

Press Office

Tel 028 90 52 1837

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