Speeches by Hoare.

“It may be irresponsible—I agree with you on that—but it is not actually surprising, is it? You have pointed to the massive pay rise last year, to which there were no productivity improvements linked at all. The BMA could be accused, with some justification, of thinking that they have the Government over a barrel and yo…”

“Is that a 10 out of 10?”

“Prime Minister, on a scale of one to 10, how gutted are you by the BMA’s latest strike action vote?”

“Do you assess that decrease as being part of a strategic decision to reduce use or just a reduction in the requirement to use them?”

“Your summation—I do not want to put words into your mouth—is that it is a useful power for the police to have, but you are encouraged by the fact that it appears to be being used in a more Exocet-like way rather than a grapeshot.”

“We would probably find that helpful, Chair.”

“What issues around the use of those powers do you, if at all, intend to interrogate specifically during your term as reviewer?”

“In order to help the evolution of our inquiry, would you be able to provide a written statement after that meeting with regards to where your thinking is?”

“Yes, quite. In terms of the manifestation of the relationship, that is just an interesting counterintuitive correlation. The human rights adviser to the Policing Board has recommended, as you probably know, that the PSNI and the NIO, in conjunction with you, draft criteria to use to decide when JSA stop and search powe…”

“One interesting observation on what we have heard this morning from you and the professor is that there is a less good, if one can use that phrase, relationship between the police and working-class loyalist areas, but a greater use of stop and search in nationalist areas. It is quite interesting. You would almost expec…”

“I was slightly taking that as a given.”

“Are there any police powers under the Act that you particularly intend to interrogate, or is it just the general application?”

“Is there a particular group that you or, indeed, others may have identified who have a particular beef against the use of stop and search?”

“Dr Byrne, I wanted to ask you, if I may, about the stop and search powers of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007. The Committee would be interested to hear your main observations regarding the use of stop and search powers.”

“Go on. Be brave.”

“Thank you very much.”

“That is very helpful. Forgive me. I misunderstood.”

“Thank you for that clarification.”

“I just have a very quick challenge on that, if I may. Studies of the national health service would show that it is more innovative and increases productivity when money is scarce. Pumping additional funds into something often just allows the norm to perpetuate, because innovative thinking is off the agenda. Do you have…”

“As a quick follow-up on what you have both said, there is clearly considerable merit in ending the psychology of exceptionalism, if you will: “Ah, but it is”; “Oh, but don’t forget”. Do the authorities, this place, Stormont or other service providers in the policing and security arena have the antennae and, allied to t…”