Govt will take time before responding to report on the North

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin says the Government will be taking its time before responding to this week's report on how to address the legacy of the Troubles in the North.

The contentious report recommends the establishment of a Legacy Commission and a Reconciliation Forum to help address ongoing issues relating to the conflict.

However, a proposal to grant a £12,000 (€13,275) bereavement payment to all families who lost a loved one in the violence has attracted the most controversy.

Unionists are furious that the families of paramilitaries would also be entitled to the proposed payment.

Minister Martin says it is pity that this has overshadowed the other aspects of the report and the Irish Government will engage in careful reflection before deciding how to move forward on the proposals.