Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 2

Written Answers. - Victims Commission.

John Bruton

Question:

41 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the proposed commission for victims will come under the aegis of his Department. [12779/98]

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

97 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the terms of reference of the proposed commission for victims of violence; the proposed membership of the commission; and when it is likely to report. [12873/98]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 97 together.

The proposed victims commission will come within the aegis of my Department only in the sense that its staffing needs and operating expenses will be met from within the resources of the Department.

The terms of reference of the victims commission are:

(1) To conduct a review of services and arrangements in place, in this jurisdiction, to meet the needs of those who have suffered as a result of violent action associated with the conflict in Northern Ireland over the past 30 years and to identify what further measures need to be taken to acknowledge and address the suffering and concerns of those in question. This would include, in particular, consideration of the following:

the provisions of the British-Irish Agreement in relation to victims;

the needs and concerns of persons, who have sustained serious injury, and members of the immediate families of those who have died or sustained serious injuries in the services of the State as a consequence of violent acts ensuing from the conflict;

the needs and concerns of victims and the families of victims of major outrages including those of the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings.

(2) To advise on how the support given to victims by their families, in helping them to cope with the immediate aftermath and continuing consequences of violence, can be acknowledged and sustained.

The former Tánaiste, Mr. John Wilson, has agreed to lead the commission. At this juncture it is not proposed to appoint any other members to the commission.

No fixed date has been set for the commission to report as I feel that this could compromise the thoroughness of the commission's consultations. However, it is envisaged that the commission should be in a position to issue its final report towards the end of this year.

Top
Share