Extra time to consult on the legacy of Troubles welcomed by unionists
UNIONISTS have welcomed the Government’s announcement that the consultation on addressing the legacy of past violence in Northern Ireland has been extended by three weeks.
Those responding said they needed more time, Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said.
The deadline has been shifted from September 10 to October 5.
Ms Bradley said: “The legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland is an enormously sensitive and emotive issue, and I want to make sure everyone’s voice is heard as we move forward.
“I have listened to those who want to take a little bit more time to consider their responses — particularly those individuals who have been most affected by the Troubles, including victims and survivors and former police officers and veterans — and I am happy to extend the deadline so that they can have their say.”
The UK Government launched the consultation, Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland’s Past, on May 11 to find the best way to meet the needs of victims and survivors and to help people address the impact of the Troubles.
Last week, UUP leader Robin Swann wrote to the Prime Minister, Secretary of State, and local party leaders, seeking support for an extension. He said victims had been telling him that they required more time “to properly assess the proposals and make a response”.
He said: “It is absolutely vital that everyone makes their views known to the Government and not leave it up to others to do so, otherwise their silence might be taken for consent.”
DUP leader Arlene Foster said the extension “is welcome news for many victims who wish to participate fully in the consultation process”.
She added: “It is a detailed document and many people who wish to participate have not yet been able to do so.
“I hope this extra time announced by the Secretary of State will ensure that all those who wish to register their views will now be able to do so.”
Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O’Neill said the extension cannot be used as an excuse to further delay implementation of the Stormont House Agreement.
She said: “If this extension is to be effective it should be accompanied by additional measures including bespoke support and back-up that facilitates as many citizens as possible to respond to the consultation.”
She added: “Any further delays to the establishment of the legacy mechanisms would be unacceptable to Sinn Fein and many families, some of whom have been waiting 45 years for access to a basic inquest.”
Kenny Donaldson of the victims’ group SEFF said he was “easy about the decision to extend the deadline”.
But he added: “The structures as proposed do not have the confidence of large swathes of the innocent victims/survivors of terrorism constituency and serious reform must come if there is to be support garnered; belatedly the NIO and the UK Government along with others are realising this.”
While welcoming the deadline extension, Victims’ Commissioner Judith Thompson said it required more public visibility and promotion to engage wider civic society.
She said the commission held around 30 engagements on the consultation in August.
But she added: “It was clear across most of these engagements that knowledge and awareness had been slow to reach them, with many having only heard some detail just two weeks prior to the deadline.”