08/05/2002
Ministers off to Spain to meet victims’ groups
Northern Ireland Office Victims Minister Des Browne and Junior Stormont Minister Des Haughey are to meet with politicians and victims’ groups in Spain.
The trip will form a part of Mr Browne's review of the NIO’s strategic response to victims’ issues, will use the trip to examine the measures the Spanish and Basque administrations have put in place to help the victims of the ETA terrorist campaign.
Denis Haughey, Junior Minister in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister responsible for victims’ issues in the Executive will also travel to Vitoria and Bilbao in Spain on Wednesday for a two-day series of meetings with Basque Government Officials, Basque political leaders and victim's groups to gather information on policies for dealing with victims issues.
Before leaving for Spain, Mr Haughey said: "It is essential to acknowledge and address the suffering of the victims of violence as a necessary element of reconciliation. Victims should be able to remember as well as contributing to a changed society. We have a fundamental duty to ensure that those who have suffered most as a result of the conflict are not denied the benefits of peace.
“The arrangements which have been made by the Basque Government for dealing with victims of violence have been widely praised, so I am anxious to see what we can learn from their approach to this issue.
The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister recent published 'Reshape, Rebuild, Achieve', the strategy document aimed at delivering practical help and services to victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Speaking before his departure, Des Browne said: “As Victims Minister I fully intend to keep the issue of victims at the top of my agenda. I am keen, therefore, to learn from other administrations about support mechanisms for victims and to share experiences about coping with trauma.
“I am working to ensure that the strategy we have in place meets the varied needs of victims and is capable of moving forward and adapting to a changing environment."
Mr Browne said that he was keen to explore the views and experiences of all those involved who could contribute to the overall understanding of victims issues in Northern Ireland.
(SP)
The trip will form a part of Mr Browne's review of the NIO’s strategic response to victims’ issues, will use the trip to examine the measures the Spanish and Basque administrations have put in place to help the victims of the ETA terrorist campaign.
Denis Haughey, Junior Minister in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister responsible for victims’ issues in the Executive will also travel to Vitoria and Bilbao in Spain on Wednesday for a two-day series of meetings with Basque Government Officials, Basque political leaders and victim's groups to gather information on policies for dealing with victims issues.
Before leaving for Spain, Mr Haughey said: "It is essential to acknowledge and address the suffering of the victims of violence as a necessary element of reconciliation. Victims should be able to remember as well as contributing to a changed society. We have a fundamental duty to ensure that those who have suffered most as a result of the conflict are not denied the benefits of peace.
“The arrangements which have been made by the Basque Government for dealing with victims of violence have been widely praised, so I am anxious to see what we can learn from their approach to this issue.
The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister recent published 'Reshape, Rebuild, Achieve', the strategy document aimed at delivering practical help and services to victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Speaking before his departure, Des Browne said: “As Victims Minister I fully intend to keep the issue of victims at the top of my agenda. I am keen, therefore, to learn from other administrations about support mechanisms for victims and to share experiences about coping with trauma.
“I am working to ensure that the strategy we have in place meets the varied needs of victims and is capable of moving forward and adapting to a changing environment."
Mr Browne said that he was keen to explore the views and experiences of all those involved who could contribute to the overall understanding of victims issues in Northern Ireland.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 March 2024
Communities Minister Pledges To Address The Housing Crisis
The Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has committed to increasing the number of social homes and providing more affordable housing options, in his keynote address at the Northern Ireland Housing Conference.
Communities Minister Pledges To Address The Housing Crisis
The Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has committed to increasing the number of social homes and providing more affordable housing options, in his keynote address at the Northern Ireland Housing Conference.
07 February 2024
Executive To Present 'United Case For Fair And Just Settlement'
The Executive will take a united case for a fair and just settlement for public sector workers and public services to Westminster, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have said.
Executive To Present 'United Case For Fair And Just Settlement'
The Executive will take a united case for a fair and just settlement for public sector workers and public services to Westminster, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have said.
05 February 2024
Executive Calls For Urgent Talks On Long-Term Funding Stability
The Executive has written to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for an urgent discussions on long-term funding stability to deliver public services.
Executive Calls For Urgent Talks On Long-Term Funding Stability
The Executive has written to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for an urgent discussions on long-term funding stability to deliver public services.
15 January 2007
Victims Commissioner appointment not quashed
A High Court ruling has not quashed the appointment of Bertha McDougall as the Northern Ireland Interim Victims Commissioner. However, in his ruling Lord Justice Girvan said that the appointment was "improper and politically motivated.
Victims Commissioner appointment not quashed
A High Court ruling has not quashed the appointment of Bertha McDougall as the Northern Ireland Interim Victims Commissioner. However, in his ruling Lord Justice Girvan said that the appointment was "improper and politically motivated.
22 March 2010
Abuse Probe Call Gets Stormont Response
An 'options paper' has been circulated around MLAs in the NI Executive regarding potential ways forward on dealing with historical child abuse in Northern Ireland.
Abuse Probe Call Gets Stormont Response
An 'options paper' has been circulated around MLAs in the NI Executive regarding potential ways forward on dealing with historical child abuse in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with further outbreaks of rain this morning, heavy at times, especially over north Antrim. Becoming drier and brighter this afternoon with sunny spells and a few showers. Winds becoming light. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Further showers this evening, some heavy, especially in the east, dying out early tonight. Then mainly dry with clear periods developing, leading to a touch of frost and icy patches. Minimum temperature -1 °C.