A Bill to make new provision to address the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to ensure legal representation is made available to police veterans called to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Policing in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter but we understand PSNI will be providing legal support to retired police officers called to give evidence to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to ensure mental health support is available to police veterans in relation to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Government has the deepest sympathy for all of those affected by the Omagh bomb in August 1998, including those members from the uniformed services who were present on the day.
I met with representatives of the Military and Police Support of West Tyrone and Omagh Bomb Inquiry Police Support Group when I visited Omagh last week, and they very clearly set out their concerns about the toll that participation in the Inquiry may take on former officer’s mental health and wellbeing.
While I was grateful to hear their views - and look forward to doing so again in the future - support for former police officers in respect of their mental health is a devolved issue so is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with Iain Livingstone on the publication timetable for the final report from Operation Kenova.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
I met with Sir Iain Livingstone on 6 March 2024 and updated him on the Government’s plans to make transitional provision to clarify that final administrative tasks related to a criminal investigation (including, for example, report-writing and publication of reports, such as the Kenova report) can be retained and completed by their original owners on and after 1 May 2024.
As Kenova is operationally independent of the Government, I am not in a position to confirm the publication date of its reports.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many and what proportion of officers of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery have experience of conducting criminal investigations (a) within and (b) outside of Northern Ireland.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Since the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was legally established as an independent body in December 2023, it has discharged its corporate functions and operated necessary policies within its own budget and accountability. As it is fully independent of Government, the Commission is best placed to advise on its recruitment and staffing, and can be contacted at: info@icrir.independent.uk.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many officials work in the secretariat for the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Since the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was legally established as an independent body in December 2023, it has discharged its corporate functions and operated necessary policies within its own budget and accountability. As it is fully independent of Government, the Commission is best placed to advise on its recruitment and staffing, and can be contacted at: info@icrir.independent.uk.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery will become operational.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Significant progress has been made since the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was established in December last year. I met with ICRIR Chair, Sir Declan Morgan, earlier this week and expect the body to be operational from 1st May.
Asked by: Hilary Benn (Labour - Leeds South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on algae pollution in Lough Neagh.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
Environmental matters including algae pollution in Lough Neagh are devolved. In the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers, it is for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to work with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on this matter.