To ask the Minister of Health for an update on discussions with the Cabinet Office in relation to the potential impact of the proposed Hillsborough Law on public services in Northern Ireland.

Officials from the Department of Health, the Executive Office, the Department of Finance and the NIO met with the Cabinet Office Bill team on Tuesday 26 November 2024 to discuss progress on the implementation of the Hillsborough law and the potential for it to apply in Northern Ireland.

Officials have pressed the Bill Team for further information on the detail of the draft Bill to be provided as soon as possible given the timescale, of April 2025, that is proposed. Cabinet Office advice to date has been that further policy direction and development is needed in advance of sharing more detailed information.

A key next step will be to agree a lead Department to take this forward for Northern Ireland. When more detailed information on the scope of the Bill is provided the NI Executive will need to consider further, the application of the Bill in Northern Ireland.