Commissioner for Victims and Survivors responds to second reading of The Troubles Bill.

Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, Ian Jeffers expressed his views following the second reading of The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill which took place tonight in the House of Lords.  

Jeffers said, “The Commission remains opposed to this Bill and while we welcome that changes will be made during the Committee stage, we are skeptical that the proposed amendments will go as far as we believe is necessary.” 

“I welcome Lord Caine’s opening comments that he will be seeking to make some amendments to the Bill, and it is good to hear that he has been listening to the concerns of victims and survivors. At this stage I am still of the opinion that the amendments will not go far enough to make the legislation effective for victims and survivors.   

I do note the input of many of the speakers in the Lord’s tonight and clearly many of the Lords will continue to challenge and seek changes to the Bill. 

The Commission will continue work with the Lords as the Bill continues its passage and I urge members of the House of Lords to do all they can to make this legislation victim-centred, to address the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past more effectively.”

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