Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister has said that she is looking forward to working on significant legislation – including the reform of sentencing and a bill on hate crime.

The Alliance Party leader Naomi Long was re-elected to the post at the weekend as the North’s power-sharing executive returned.

She had previously served in the role January 2020 to October 2022.

The minister described her appointment as “an honour and privilege”.

Socio-economic factors

“I look forward now to leading the department into a new era, and to considering other significant legislation that needs to be progressed – including reform of sentencing and a hate-crime bill,” she added.

The minister continued: “I remain committed to improving the outcomes for people in our society which in turn may ease the pressure on the criminal-justice system.

“There are many socio-economic factors which are contributory elements on crime here, and I look forward to working with my executive colleagues to deliver a coordinated and joined up approach to tackling these issues.”

Long added that she would meet those working across the justice system in the coming weeks.