Vol. 396 No. 9
44 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied with the level of compensation which is being paid by the Northern Ireland Office to the families and victims of terrorism; if the issue has been raised at meetings of the Anglo-Irish Conference; and if the Irish Government have made any representations to the United Kingdom in the matter.
I know that all Deputies will agree with me when I say that it is impossible to compensate adequately the many families in Northern Ireland who have suffered as a result of the campaign of terrorism.
Until mid 1988, the relevant legal provisions in Northern Ireland were such that the level of financial compensation payable to families and victims in certain circumstances was extremely low. Changes introduced under the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order, which came into effect in July 1988, have achieved some improvement in the situation. The terms of this Order have been the subject of discussion in the Anglo-Irish Secretariat in Belfast and the situation will be kept under continuing review by my Department.
