Government seeks victims’ views for best way forward

The Northern Ireland Executive has invited victims of the Troubles to tender their views as a method to address how better local government can serve them.

The Document on a Victims Strategy was launched by ministers from the First and Deputy First Ministers’ Office on Monday 6 August and seeks the views of individual victims and groups on how the devolved administration can best meet the needs of those who have suffered as a result of the conflict of the last 30 years.

The consultation process will last three months and interested parties have until November 9 to make known their feelings.

The strategy to help Troubles victims promises to address their needs of victims and put in place a cross-departmental strategy for ensuring the delivery of effective, high quality services to victims.

Mr Denis Haughey said: “I would urge everyone with an interest in this area to read the consultation document carefully, and to express their views on the many issues in and around the delivery of services to victims of the troubles. It is very important that victims are able to access appropriate support services to enable them to move on with their lives and become socially included. It is therefore essential that the work to provide such services is informed and influenced by the views and wishes of those individuals and groups who use them."

Mr Dermot Nesbitt said: "We must aim to ensure that services provided for victims reflect their particular needs and that they are easily accessible for those individuals or groups who require them. To make this consultation truly representative, it is vital that we have the widest possible range of responses. It is our hope that as many people, groups and organisations as possible will make their views known during this three month period of consultation."

Unfortunately the document is being launched at a time when the future of the Northern Ireland’s devolved government hangs in the balance. The Anglo-Irish package of proposals delivered to the parties on August 1 has yet to be accepted. The pro-Agreement parties have until August 12 to accept or reject the take-it-or-leave-it package. (AMcE)