Vol. 546 No. 5
10 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date regarding implementation of the recommendations of the Victims' Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32103/01]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 132 of 13 November 2001, in which I stated, inter alia, that work has already commenced on implementing a number of the recommendations in the report of the Victims' Commission. The remaining recommendations cover a wide range of areas which fall within the competence of a number of Departments and agencies, including my Department. Based on consultations with other Departments and agencies, work is continuing on developing an implementation plan in respect of those remaining recommendations. The consultation process is now almost completed and I expect to be in a position to submit proposals to Government in the near future.
The Minister's response is unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. I did not ask to be referred to another parliamentary question. I inquired about what is happening now.
I have a summary of the commission's recommendations which runs to many pages. The sum mary and the recommendations have been with the Minister for a long time. Apart from the establishment of an inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, what other of the commission's recommendations have been implemented?
There are a number of areas in which implementation of the recommendations has commenced. The House will be aware that the inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings by Mr. Justice Barron is well advanced. The Department of Health and Children provided funding for counselling in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing. As recently as 22 May 2001 the Government approved the provision of up to £162,000 in the current year to the Justice for the Forgotten group in respect of a family support centre, with further support guaranteed for next year. These are the most tangible forms of implementation of the recommendations, but work is also under way in other areas. For example, a review of the criminal injuries compensation scheme which was recommended by the report is nearing completion.
The Department has also been engaged in high level consultations on the recommendations with other relevant Departments as recently as this week. As a result I will shortly be able to submit comprehensive proposals to Government regarding the remaining recommendations, including in particular those touching on the financial and other needs of victims. I am determined to bring this work to a conclusion as a matter of priority.
As regards the recommendations on which the Minister is working, will he, or has he, accepted those which propose, for example, that funds be provided for acknowledgement payments to the relatives of those killed and to cover victims' continuing costs? Does he accept that a victims' pension should be established, as recommended by the commission? Does he accept that the stopping of pensions on remarriage should be eliminated regarding any public service pension payable to the spouses of those killed in the line of duty? I do not wish to read all of the recommendations into the record, but are they accepted? Are we talking about an implementation procedure or is the Minister going to accept, modify or reject some of the recommendations?
The Deputy will be aware that I am obliged to bring the proposals to Government before they can be implemented. The report's recommendations and conclusions cover a wide range of medical, legal and financial issues which inevitably require detailed consultation.
Implementation of some of the recommendations has commenced and, in some cases, is well under way. I will shortly submit proposals to Government on the outstanding recommendations, including those regarding the financial and other needs of victims and their families. I am anxious to bring the matter to a conclusion and to see that real help is given to those who need it. That is the reason we provided practical assistance to the Justice for the Forgotten group this summer. I will bring proposals to Government on the outstanding issues in the near future at which time I will be happy to report back to the House.
What are the areas in which the Minister will make proposals, in principle, so as to distinguish between other recommendations that he is abandoning or considering? Will legislation be introduced early in the new year to implement some of the recommendations, such as those to which Deputy Howlin referred? Why were provisions to implement the financial recommendations not contained in the budget?
It ill behoves me to answer for the Minister for Finance. The recommendations contained in the report find favour with me. My job is to bring them to Government with specific proposals which would require implementation. If legislation is required then it will be brought before the House. However, I am constrained by the fact that I need Government approval before I can make any announcements regarding what will be put in place. It would be wrong of me to raise hopes by saying things which might not subsequently come true. However, all the recommendations in the report find favour with me and I will do my best to see they are implemented.
