Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery

Wednesday 21 June 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Atherton inquired about recent progress on establishing the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, highlighting the long-standing issue faced by Mr Vaughan-Jones and his family.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledged the critical need for families to receive answers about acts of serious harm committed during the troubles and expressed willingness to meet Atherton to discuss the matter.
  • Jim Shannon emphasized that reconciliation and information recovery cannot replace victims' access to justice and sought confirmation that innocent victims remain a priority for the Northern Ireland Office.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Atherton
Northern Ireland
Context

The question arises from the ongoing efforts to establish a commission aimed at resolving historical issues related to the Northern Ireland Troubles.

Question

What recent progress his Department has made on establishing the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. I have been raising this issue in the Chamber over the past three and a half years, but after 40 years of waiting, Mr Vaughan-Jones and his family have never received a conclusive account of what happened to his brother Robert, 2 Para, at Warrenpoint in 1979.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

My hon. Friend raises a critical point and I would be delighted to meet her to talk about it. As I said earlier, many families across Northern Ireland and Great Britain still do not have the answers they require about the acts of serious harm committed in the troubles. The system has not worked as it is, which is why we need to pass the Bill and establish the ICRIR as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific meeting arrangements were not detailed

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Q2 Sarah Atherton
Northern Ireland
Context

The question relates to a supplementary query about the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, focusing on the need for families of victims like Mr Vaughan-Jones' brother Robert to receive conclusive accounts.

Question

I welcome the progress made towards establishing the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, but after 40 years of waiting—I have also been raising the case in the Chamber over the past three and a half years—Mr Vaughan-Jones and his family have never received a conclusive account of what happened to his brother Robert, 2 Para, at Warrenpoint in 1979. Will the Secretary of State agree to meet me to discuss the case and progress?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

My hon. Friend raises a critical point and I would be delighted to meet her to talk about it. As I said earlier, many families across Northern Ireland and Great Britain still do not have the answers they require about the acts of serious harm committed in the troubles. The system has not worked as it is, which is why we need to pass the Bill and establish the ICRIR as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific meeting arrangements were not detailed

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland
Context

The question concerns the need for reconciliation and information recovery, with a focus on ensuring that innocent victims receive priority from the Northern Ireland Office.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. When it comes to recognising the need for reconciliation and information recovery, it can never, ever be a substitute for victims' access to justice. Will he confirm that innocent victims will always be a priority for the Northern Ireland Office and this Government?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I can do that, 100%. The hon. Gentleman is completely right.

Answered
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