Ms Claire Hanna:

I thank the Chair and the witnesses. Even if I had not popped out, the way in which we structure the committee often means the core issues are generally well covered by colleagues. Unfortunately, I had to drop off so I do not want to waste anybody's time by picking up on issues that I am sure have been well explored. Mr. Holder's work is appreciated, in particular on legacy and cross-Border issues, which will potentially worsen with the introduction of the ETA in a couple of years.

To pick up on a different issue, as part of our wide look at the Good Friday Agreement and its operations and roots, the committee will look into the effectiveness of the Stormont institutions, in particular how the Assembly is functioning. Obviously that work might become more urgent if the Assembly is not promptly re-established after the May election. The bill of rights would be a fundamental change that could pre-emptively address many of the issues that get bogged down in the Assembly or would at least provide a pathway. Mr. Holder has also drawn attention to the pre-emptive veto, which has become the new petition of concern, as something that is creating considerable dysfunction and delay by allowing parties - mainly one party, if we are honest - to veto measures that are deemed cross-cutting or substantial. It is one of the degradations inserted into the St. Andrews Agreement which have contributed to the terrible governance. Has the CAJ looked at how that particular issue might be addressed in any review of the ugly scaffolding, as it were? Are there other operational mechanisms that need to be tweaked or refreshed in future assemblies?