A positive day for Troubles’ victims

EXECUTIVE ministers put a good face on the decision to pay a Troubles pension to those who were psychologically or physically injured during the decades of conflict in the province.

In reality they had no option as the Court of Appeal in February this year had decided that the Executive must begin the process.

The fact that the issue had gone to the courts at all tells us all we need to know about the political lethargy in dealing with a matter which demanded humanity from the administration.

It is estimated that some 40,000 people were injured in the Troubles and that does not include those who witnessed horrific incidents which left an indelible psychological scar on them.

If any group of people ever deserved to be treated well it was those survivors of the Troubles, yet the delay in agreeing to pay them a pension has been shamefully delayed.

The scheme will be backdated to 2014 when it was first agreed, but even that was years too late. It is a recurrent theme of political action in Northern Ireland that any issue which is straightforward and uncomplicated is then subjected to all kinds of delay and complications. Victims become victimised once more by the very people they expect to help them.

Countless numbers of those who would have been eligible for payment under the scheme have since died since it covers the period from January 1, 1966 — the very beginning of the Troubles — until 2010 when policing and justice powers were devolved to Northern Ireland. Fifty years is a long time to wait for compensation.

We should not forget that those bereaved by the Troubles have been doubly hurt — the promises of some kind of truth and reconciliation process to clear up why their loved ones were killed has never been agreed never mind implemented.

However, it has to be accepted that yesterday was a good day for those who may be eligible for the pension scheme. It will be costly, £1.2bn over 20 years, but money can never repair the damage done to those who will receive the money.

While the Executive has agreed to begin paying the pension, talks are still continuing to determine if the Treasury will foot at least part of the bill. Westminster seems in no mood to concede on that issue.

To be eligible applicants need to have suffered their injuries by 2010.

This is a very arbitrary one. Should it not be extended until yesterday when the scheme was finally agreed?