NI: Govt hits back over victims' commissioner criticism

Criticism of delays in appointing a Victims’ Commissioner for the North is political point-scoring, the government said today.

The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minster (OFMDFM) was hitting back amid mounting criticism of the process.

SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly has accused the First and Deputy First Ministers of letting down the families of victims by not filling the post before the Assembly resumes later this month.

However, the OFMDFM said: “Victims and survivors’ needs are a high priority for us and we want to get the decision on an appointment right. We will take the necessary time to do this.

“Political point scoring on this issue is both unhelpful and entirely inappropriate, not least to those who have suffered so much during the troubles.”

The commissioner would work with affected groups and represent their interests to the government.

Ms Kelly has submitted an Assembly question on the delay. Alliance leader David Ford also raised the matter earlier this summer.

In June First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said they would appoint a commissioner before the Assembly’s summer recess.

Victims’ spokeswoman Ms Kelly said: “Many survivors and families of the victims of the troubles rightly feel let down.

“Over the past number of months we have all been relieved to see politics move forward for all the people of the north of Ireland.

“But the past has caused much hurt and that needs to be seriously tackled.

“That hurt cannot be brushed under the carpet.”

In January a report by former interim victims commissioner Bertha McDougall recommended the Memorial Fund for victims be phased out.

She said it should be replaced by a more flexible fund, to be allocated £8m (€11.9m) in the first year.

She added a more co-ordinated approach was needed and suggested consideration be given to setting up a fund for UDR families similar to the police fund.

Ms McDougall, whose appointment was subjected to a successful judicial review, also recommended more compensation for those bereaved before 1988.