Speeches by Hanna.

“Therefore tiny numbers have been brought before the courts.”

“About 20 out of 300,000.”

“Do you think your repeated claims that people are being hounded and hunted stand up? I am not a statistician, but that is a really small percentage.”

“Out of 300,000?”

“David, do you agree that the definition of sensitive information is too wide? Do you agree that it could prevent the disclosure of information that demonstrates, for example, co-operation between state and non-state actors, which would ultimately help to counter some of the narratives that you have expressed concerns a…”

“Is it over 15 out of 300,000?”

“I think that is what the witness is saying. She is providing suggestion and clarification.”

“The Bill makes provision for the Secretary of State to appoint commissioners on the advice of relevant persons. Is that satisfactory? Do you agree with the calls for more independent governance and oversight? Do you think his duty to take advice and to say publicly who he has taken it from is sufficiently transparent?”

“Several stakeholders have reiterated their concern that the national security veto power is maintained in the new regime, and that that risks seriously undermining confidence. Do you have a view on that, Joe?”

“This is not related to disclosure, but while I have you here, can I ask whether you been able to engage with, or do you have views on, victims who have experienced a so-called punishment attack or other humiliation practice by paramilitaries, like tarring and feathering or kangaroo courts? Are you assured that there wi…”

“Alyson, will you give us a view on disclosure, and on the review of the restrictive notices as they have been used in public inquiries and their application in the proposed inquisitorial mechanism? Do you think that they will boost confidence or do you have concerns about their role in the disclosure regime?”

“I do not think that the statistics would bear that out, David. That is what I will say.”

“I agree, but I suppose essentially what you are saying is that on the face of the Bill, this is an improvement and an encouragement, but some of the legal cases that are currently being fought would appear to go against the spirit of what is in the legislation.”

“Should be investigated, and the pathways, too, with judicial proceedings.”

“On basic justice and after the Soldier F case, you said that you wanted to see fairness for all, but would you agree that that fairness means that everyone is equal before the law, and that no person who created victims, whether a state or a non-state actor, should be beyond the reach of the courts?”

“And that is not happening currently?”

“Thank you very much, Lord Murphy, for your work on the review. I know that my party would have preferred a bit more focus on north-south and the island economy in the terms of reference, but the report was really fair and constructive within the terms you had. I want to ask about your recommendations on the Democratic …”

“That is service!”

“But you do not think they should get some of that engagement and advice directly from UK Government officials?”

“The committee suggested they would access UK officials directly, and you suggested that NI civil servants would be empowered to provide that advice. What is the reasoning behind that?”