Key facts
- Meeting
- Victims and Survivors Commissioner Joe McVey met Sir Chris Bryant and minister Sarah Owen.
- Bill status
- Troubles Bill is 'full steam ahead', replacing the previous Legacy Act.
- Proposed bodies
- Reformed Legacy Commission and Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR) with Irish Government.
- Commissioner's call
- Legislation must reflect diversity of victims and survivors, who are 'not a homogeneous group'.
- Discussed issues
- Bereavement payment scheme, application deadline for Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, and support services.
Background
The new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Chris Bryant, has been urged to deliver 'fair and balanced' legislation to address the legacy of the region's troubled past. The call comes from Victims and Survivors Commissioner Joe McVey, who met with Bryant and minister Sarah Owen while work on the Troubles Bill continues.
Last week, Sir Chris told media in Belfast that they are 'full steam ahead' on the Bill, which will replace the previous government's controversial Legacy Act. He said they were considering amendments, describing it as a 'complex balancing act' and that everybody 'is going to have to give a bit'.
Current situation
The Troubles Bill is to see a reformed Legacy Commission, reconstituted from the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), to investigate and fact-find for families affected by the Troubles across the UK. It also proposes an Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR) jointly with the Irish Government, and is expected to provide effective protections for veterans, as well as enabling bereaved families, including of service personnel, to get answers about what happened to their loved ones.
Mr McVey said he pressed for the rights, needs and experiences of all victims and survivors to be reflected, emphasising they are 'not a homogeneous group', adding the final legislation should reflect that diversity. In a statement, he said they also discussed the need for acknowledgement, progress towards a bereavement payment scheme, the need for clarity on the future of the application deadline for the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, and continued investment in the services and infrastructure that support victims and survivors.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Legacy Commission | Reconstituted from ICRIR to investigate and fact-find for families |
| ICIR | Independent Commission on Information Retrieval jointly with Irish Government |
| Veterans | Expected to provide effective protections |
| Bereaved families | Enable them to get answers about loved ones |
| Concern | Potential 'preferential treatment for veterans' |
Impacts
The legislation will shape how the UK deals with the legacy of the Troubles for years to come, affecting a wide community of victims and survivors, including veterans. Mr McVey stressed that veterans are 'part of the victim and survivor community, as are many others whose lives continue to be affected by the legacy of the Troubles/conflict'.
While some have expressed concern about potential 'preferential treatment for veterans', the commissioner emphasised that the Bill must reflect the diversity of experiences. He said Parliament now has an opportunity to ensure the final legislation reflects that diversity, and that every voice must be heard if the legislation is to command confidence.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
The Troubles Bill is expected to proceed through Parliament, with amendments being considered. If the legislation is to command confidence, it must be fair, balanced, and capable of building confidence across all communities, as Mr McVey noted.
The commissioner said the Commission's statutory responsibility is not to amplify one voice over another, but to ensure no victim or survivor becomes invisible. He added that they will continue to work constructively with the Government, Parliament, and all involved to ensure rights, voices, and experiences are reflected in legislation, policy, and services.
Source: dudleynews.co.uk
