The UK Government has today formally tabled amendments to legislation seeking to address the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The move comes ahead of the Committee Stage of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, scheduled to proceed in the House of Lords next week.
The legislation aims to deliver better outcomes for those most impacted by the Troubles, including victims, survivors and veterans, while helping society to look forward.
The Government amendments seek to address some of the principal concerns raised since the Bill's introduction, including by victims and survivors.
The amendments will:
- Confirm that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery (ICRIR) established by the legislation will be able to conduct criminal investigations where it judges that to be appropriate.
- Ensure that individuals who knowingly or recklessly provide false information to the ICRIR can be prosecuted and have their immunity revoked.
- Disapply the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 for individuals who choose not to tell the Commission what they know and are then convicted of an offence so that they face a full, rather than reduced, sentence.
- Increase the fine for non-compliance with the Commission.
- Strengthen the Commission's independence by making clear that the Secretary of State should consult individuals before appointing the Chief Commissioner.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, said:
"These amendments reflect the extensive engagement that has taken place, and demonstrates the Government's commitment to working with all interested parties regarding their concerns, and how these might be addressed.
"The Government remains absolutely committed to delivering better outcomes for those most impacted by the Troubles."
Notes:
- A Bill to address the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland was introduced on 16th May 2022. The Bill passed in the House of Commons on 4th of July and is due to begin its Committee Stage in the House of Lords on 24 January.
- Key features of the Bill:
- A new independent body - the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) - that will focus on the recovery and provision of information about Troubles-related deaths and most serious injuries. For those families that want to get answers about what happened to their loved ones, the body would have all necessary policing powers to carry out reviews, which may include a criminal investigation. Once it has concluded its review into a case, it will publish a report setting out the details of its investigation, and its view about what happened.
- A process of Conditional Immunity, to apply to any serious or connected offences involving deaths or serious injuries during the Troubles. A Judge-led panel within the ICRIR will grant immunity to individuals who provide a truthful account of their involvement in Troubles related deaths and serious injuries.
- A package of memorialisation measures centred on a major oral history initiative. The overall aim would be to help build an understanding of history that reflects the complexity of the events of the past, as well as the broader landscape and context in which they took place.
