21/11/2023

UUP Calls For More Time For Victims Proposal Responses

The Commission for Victims & Survivors has been urged to allow more time for people to respond to their policy paper which proposes a payment scheme for those who were bereaved by Troubles related incidents.

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has made the call after the Commission announced a one-week deadline for responses.

A UUP spokesperson, "One week is not a realistic timeframe for a party response to such an important proposal. While Ulster Unionists are sympathetic in principle to such a scheme, there is a lot of detail to be thought through.

"When Commissioner Ian Jeffers met a group of our MLAs last month, we made clear there were significant areas requiring clarification. The Commission make clear in their proposals that while affordability is a consideration, it is not the Commission's priority. We feel that assertion needs to be tested. Too often victims and survivors have been made promises that were never fulfilled.

"Further, given the news that Mr Jeffers is moving on from the Commission, this is not the time to make such significant decisions. A new Commissioner, once appointed, may take a different approach."

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