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Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill

The hon. Lady knows that that is not what we are seeking to do. In any case, it would not be achieved by our amendment, which would not affect the balance of the powers of the police ombudsman’s office. Is she saying that the police ombudsman’s office will be more protected after the date on which the investigatory powers of the HRC kick in? That is a nonsensical argument. Protecting the independence of the police ombudsman’s office has nothing to do with the time limits on the HRC’s powers. Conversely, those time limits have nothing to do with whether the independence of the police ombudsman’s office is protected.