21 May 2012, 17:47
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement today received a petition from representatives of the WAVE Trauma Centre, signed by 10,000 people. The petition is part of WAVE's campaign for recognition of those injured as a result of the Troubles.
An identical petition was received by Northern Ireland political party representatives in Stormont last Thursday 17 May and also handed into Westminster today 21 May. The delegation comprised Alex Bunting, Jim Moody, Michael Molloy, Ruth Jewitt and Mark Kelly.
On behalf of the Houses of the Oireachtas, Deputies Joanna Tuffy TD and Peadar Tóibín TD received their petition, which was signed by 10,000 people. Deputy Tóibín is Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions.
Joanna Tuffy, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, says: “The Good Friday Agreement recognises the need for services that are supportive and sensitive to the needs of victims. It explicitly calls for support to be channelled through both statutory and community-based voluntary organisations facilitating locally-based selfhelp and support networks.
“The WAVE Trauma Centre network is at the forefront of supporting civilian victims of the troubles and their carers. The delegation talked us through the key findings of new research which they commissioned and which highlights a worrying shortfall in services in Northern Ireland for very many people physically injured as a result of the Troubles and for those who care for them.
“I intend to take up their concerns through the work of the Committee and to invite WAVE to attend a formal meeting of the Joint Committee to debate these serious issues further. We will also raise their concerns in future contacts the Committee has with MLAs from Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and in other relevant fora. ”
View photos from today via Flickr.
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Alan Farrell, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Dominic Hannigan, Michael P. Kitt, Joe McHugh, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Joe O’Reilly, Brendan Smith and Joanna Tuffy.
Senators Jim D’Arcy, Maurice Cummins, Martin McAleese, Mary Moran, Mary White.
Chair: Joanna Tuffy, TD Vice-Chair: Joe O'Reilly, TD