Victims Commission legislation pulled
THE draft legislation to create a Victims Commission has again been pulled from the Assembly, amid disagreements between the DUP and Sinn Fein.
The Victims and Survivors Bill was due back on the floor of the House today - having been withdrawn a fortnight ago, amid chaotic scenes.
Now the Ulster Unionists have described the latest withdrawal of the Bill "a fiasco".
Republicans have been opposing proposed amendments to the Bill which would make one of the four member commission a chief commissioner and establish establish a decision-making process, on the body, based on a majority vote - instead of consensus opinion.
They and the DUP had two weeks, behind the scenes, to sort out their differences.
But again, at the 11th hour, the legislation could not be discussed.
All the while, the victims' sector remains without a Commission that can administer more than 30 million in funding and tackle their concerns.
UUP MLA Danny Kennedy has strongly condemned the DUP and Sinn Fein.
"When they brought forward this flawed legislation, DUP-Sinn Fein told the Assembly that it required accelerated passage.
nd now, in utter humiliation, they themselves have had to delay it for a second time," he said.
He added it was a debacle.
Shameful
Alliance deputy leader Naomi Long said; ""This is yet another shameful episode in the Victims Commission saga and instead of delivering for victims as promised, they have delivered nothing but chaos and uncertainty. They made a mess of this issue and are now running scared from dealing with their own mess."
A DUP spokesman said: "The DUP wants to see sound and durable legislation, dealing with the needs of victims, brought to the Assembly at the earliest opportunity.
"We are absolutely committed to delivering for the innocent victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The DUP is determined to see a body put in place which will be effective in representing the views and concerns of victims. We will work to that end in cooperation with the other parties in the Assembly."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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