Third Report: Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland’s Past: the Government’s New Proposals (Interim Report)
Select Committee
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
HC 329
26 October 2020
Government response
Third Special Report - Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland’s past: the Government’s New Proposals: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2019–21 · published 18 Jan 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
9 results
1
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 5
We are disappointed that the UK Government has decided not to submit, to date, written...
Recommendation
We are disappointed that the UK Government has decided not to submit, to date, written evidence to our inquiry, but we look forward to receiving it, just as we would look forward to formal submissions from the Irish Government. In …
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Government Response Summary
The government thanked the committee for its work and stated it would continue to take its contributions into account as legacy reform remains an ongoing matter of sensitive policy development, but did not address the specific outstanding questions requested.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Too many key questions remain regarding how the proposed new institution would operate and function.
Conclusion
Too many key questions remain regarding how the proposed new institution would operate and function. It is deeply worrying that since 18 March, when the Government announced its new legacy proposals, it has been unable to provide any further policy …
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Government Response Summary
The government thanked the committee for its report and stated that legacy reform remains an ongoing matter of sensitive policy development and engagement, without addressing the specific concerns about the lack of policy detail or delay.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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3
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 15
The Committee welcome the Government’s desire to legislate to address the legacy of the past...
Recommendation
The Committee welcome the Government’s desire to legislate to address the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. Our predecessor Committee’s inquiry in the previous Parliament identified flaws in the draft Bill which would have prevented its receiving broad support …
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Government Response Summary
The government thanked the committee and stated it would continue to take contributions into account as it moves forward with legacy commitments, noting that reform is an ongoing matter of policy development, without committing to introducing legislation consistent with the Stormont House Agreement.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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4
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 18
The Irish Government will have a role to play in parts of a new legacy...
Recommendation
The Irish Government will have a role to play in parts of a new legacy process. It will need to maintain a collaborative approach to help resolve legacy cases, which we 26 Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland’s Past: the …
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Government Response Summary
The government reaffirmed its strong commitment to working in partnership with the Irish Government on legacy issues, aligning with the recommendation for meaningful engagement.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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9
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 38
The permanent closure of a case in which a serious crime has been committed raises...
Recommendation
The permanent closure of a case in which a serious crime has been committed raises profound legal, ethical and human rights issues. There is considerable doubt whether such closures are the right approach. Before the Government introduces legislation, it must …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the committee's contributions, stating that legacy reform is an ongoing matter of sensitive policy development and engagement, but did not provide the specific policy clarifications requested.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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11
Recommendation
Acknowledged
We expect the Government to abide by its obligations under the ECHR to ensure that...
Recommendation
We expect the Government to abide by its obligations under the ECHR to ensure that investigations conducted by the new legacy body are Article 2 compliant. Victims and families will be failed by a process that results in legal challenge …
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Government Response Summary
The government broadly acknowledged the committee's contributions and reaffirmed its commitment to dealing with the legacy of the Troubles, but did not specifically commit to ensuring ECHR Article 2 compliance for investigations or publishing related guidelines.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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12
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 46
The Government is right to recognise the importance of providing families that seek it with...
Conclusion
The Government is right to recognise the importance of providing families that seek it with as much information as possible about the death of a loved one. Many families seek not redress, but merely to be treated with respect and …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomed the committee's conclusion that providing families with information is important and confirmed that information recovery is central to any new legacy system.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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14
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 53
Any new legacy process must command the trust and confidence of those engaging with it.
Recommendation
Any new legacy process must command the trust and confidence of those engaging with it. Although no scheme will ever command universal support, the Government must have at the heart of its thinking the objective of maximising trust across the …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomed the committee's observations and reaffirmed its commitment to information recovery, stating it would carefully consider all options to ensure a fit-for-purpose process that maximizes information for victims and families.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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16
Conclusion
The Commissioner for Victims and Survivors in Northern Ireland performs the duties set out in...
Conclusion
The Commissioner for Victims and Survivors in Northern Ireland performs the duties set out in the Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Those duties include promoting and safeguarding the interests of victims and survivors and reviewing laws, practices and …
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Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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