Victims commissioner post to be re-advertised in the North

The post of Victims Commissioner in the North is to be re-advertised, the Rev Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness announced today.

The Stormont First Minister and Deputy First Minister said they were encouraging new applicants to join the current field for the £65,000 (€94,000)-a-year job because they believed it would strengthen the office if the selection process was carried out under devolution.

The DUP leader and Sinn Féin MP denied the failure to appoint a commissioner so far from a field drawn up during direct rule was as a result of in-fighting between them.

And they also pledged their full support to whoever is eventually appointed before the end of the year to succeed Bertha McDougall who was the Interim Victims Commissioner.

“I know there has been a lot of ill-informed speculation that the Deputy First Minister and I have been at loggerheads over the appointment but that simply isn’t true,” Mr Paisley said.

“Yes, we have taken time to consider the best way forward but that is just as it should be.

“This is an important appointment impacting on some of the most vulnerable people in our society and we need to know that victims and survivors, who have suffered so much for so long, are represented by the very best person for the job.”

Mr Paisley vowed that, as society in the North moved forward, no-one bereaved or injured during the Troubles would be left behind.

However, he said, because of the massive political strides that had been taken in the North in recent months, they believed it was essential that the person appointed had the full democratic endorsement of all sides at Stormont.

“To put it bluntly, we believe that some potential applicants may have been deterred from putting themselves forward for the post during direct rule because they could not be confident of securing the broad political support of the local parties that they would need to become a true champion for victims and survivors in Northern Ireland,” the First Minister said.

Mr McGuinness added: “That is why we have decided that we should extend the appointment process and re-advertise the position.

“We believe that readvertising the post now against the background of a fully functioning Executive will bring forward a greater number of candidates.

“Victims and survivors are a key priority for us and we want them to see that we are searching as widely as possible.

“The successful candidate will also know that they will have the unwavering support of the First Minister and myself as they address the needs of all those who have suffered great personal loss over the years.”

A number of Assembly members in recent weeks have raised concerns as to why they have failed to appoint someone to the post despite receiving a shortlist in May.

SDLP Assembly member Dolores Kelly had argued that the delay meant many victims were not getting the practical help on counselling, health and housing issues which a Commissioner could facilitate.

Mr McGuinness denied the Stormont Executive was playing politics with the issue.

He also stressed that the decision to readvertise in no way reflected on the people who were shortlisted during direct rule.

He revealed they would be asked to allow their names to remain in contention for the post but they would not have to reapply or be re-interviewed, and would be considered along with any further applicants who are deemed appointable.

“The final stage of the process will involve a presentation to Dr Paisley and myself personally by all candidates deemed appointable before a final decision is made,” the Deputy First Minister said.

“We consider this to be an essential new element of the appointment process.

“In making our decision we have consulted fully with the Commissioner for Public Appointments and she is content with our approach.

“What we have decided is designed to serve the public interest and to achieve the statutory purpose to the fullest.”