Former hunger striker is justice chair

Following his appointment Raymond McCartney said: "The transfer of Policing and Justice powers to the control of the Assembly is of significant importance.

"Responsibility for legislation governing the everyday lives of the people of the North is now in local hands.

"It is important that we are now seen to be tackling the issues that affect people on a daily basis such as anti-community behaviour, death riding, burglaries and attacks on the elderly.

"The scrutiny committee of which I am now the Vice-Chairperson will have a particular responsibility in holding the Minister to account and to ensure that the Ministry delivers fair and proper Justice and Policing for the population."