The Group proposes the establishment of a Legacy Commission, which would deal with the past by combining processes of reconciliation, justice and information recovery. Its overarching (what the hell does that word mean - basic, overall, fundamental or what?) objective would be to promote peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and its activities and decisions would be guided by that perspective. It would address both society issues, on which it would work closely with CVSNI, and legal processes.
You will not be surprised by the following:
The Group estimates that the recognition payments to be made to the closest relative of those who died during the conflict would amount to approximately £40 million. The costs of the Commission over five years would amount to approximately £170 million. The cost of paying for historical investigation through the existing HET and Police Ombudsman alone would be, over the next five years, in the region of £100 million.
In addition the Commission would be able to look at wider themes and more cases than a single public inquiry. A single public inquiry into one set of linked cases could cost between £60 million and £140 million. For that same money the Group believes that the Commission could examine wider perspectives of the past.
In addition the Group recommends that a bursary of £100m should be made available to the Legacy Commission to address the society issues identified.
The Group considers that the costs of the proposals should be met by the British Government and that, in light of their special interest, the Irish Government should make an appropriate contribution.
So the victims get £40 m and the fat cats, QC's and the great and the good get all the rest (£270m or have I read this wrong?). And for what? A 3,000 page report which will be history in a week but maybe will spawn other review bodies, think tanks etc.
Me, I'd just tell them - Look there was sin and wickedness on both sides but all the debate in the world will never bring the dead back. If you really feel like raking over the coals, have a go at Germany for WWII.
Yes of course I saw Bloody Sunday on TV and film but I also saw the picture of that girl in the Tavern in the Town, Birmingham with a chair leg through her calf. She wasn't even throwing bricks but no one is reviewing her case.
(Oh and don't ask me what has gone wrong with the colours and the fonts here cus I can't be arsed to find out.)
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