Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
118. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has studied polling (details supplied) reporting that 10% of the State’s population were victims of the Troubles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41904/23]
View answerI note the publication of the Northern Ireland Commission for Victims and Survivors population survey which was carried out in this jurisdiction in April 2023. The findings offer an opportunity to explore the attitudes and perceptions of people impacted by the Troubles in this jurisdiction. I appreciate the extent to which those surveyed feel affected by the Troubles. It emphasises the fact that we live on an island, and that we share experiences with our neighbours. The Troubles were not just an issue for Northern Ireland but which affected many on this island.
Successive Irish Governments have consistently sought to acknowledge and address the legitimate needs and expectations of victims’ families and survivors of Troubles-related attacks in this jurisdiction. This Government continues to work on our own support for victims. A substantive measure already undertaken in this regard was the establishment of the Remembrance Commission in 2003, to administer a Scheme of acknowledgment, assistance and remembrance for victims of the Northern Ireland conflict, and their families, in this jurisdiction. In total over €6.5 million was disbursed.
On the conclusion of the Commission's term of appointment in 2008, special arrangements were made to ensure that victims resident in the jurisdiction who require on-going medical treatment for injuries sustained in Troubles incidents may have certain costs reimbursed through the Department of Justice. These arrangements continue today.
The Government has provided co-funding for projects under the PEACE programs and will again contribute to the PEACE PLUS Programme (2021-2027) to continue and build on the work of earlier PEACE funding to provide additional supports to victims and survivors.
My own Department continues to support victims both through support provided by the Reconciliation Fund and broader contacts. Over the past several years, the Reconciliation Fund has provided funding to a number of victims and survivors groups such as Justice for the Forgotten, South East Fermanagh Foundation, Truth and Reconciliation Platform, WAVE, Relatives for Justice and the Pat Finucane Centre.
As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I meet with victims and survivors of the Troubles on a regular basis. I had the opportunity to meet with victims and survivors in this jurisdiction, most recently in May when I attended the memorial event to mark the 49th anniversary of the Dublin Monaghan bombings. I assured those present that support for victims, both in this jurisdiction and in Northern Ireland, is at the forefront of the Government’s commitments to address the legacy of the Troubles.
