Ruairí Quinn
Question:47 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will receive the report of the Victims Commissioner, Mr. Wilson; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12976/99]
Written Answers. - Victims Commission.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:358 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to meet with former Tánaiste, Mr. John Wilson, in respect of his work as Victims Commissioner. [14418/99]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 358 together.
I would like to make it clear at the outset that the Victims Commission, which was set up last year, was asked,inter alia, to conduct a review of certain matters pertaining to those who have suffered as a result of violent action associated with the conflict in Northern Ireland over the past 30 years.
The commissioner is independent in the discharge of the task assigned to him and, in those circumstances, I do not consider that it would be appropriate for me to seek to discuss the detail, or the conduct, of this inquiry with him. I can tell the Deputy, however, that officials of my Department, and its agencies, have made themselves available to the commissioner, as required by him, to discuss matters of policy, practices and fact.
That said, the commissioner has advised me that he expects to be in a position to submit his report to the Government in the very near future.