Villiers publishes policy paper on Northern Ireland (Stormont House Agreement) Bill 2015
Secretary of State has today published a policy paper designed to provide information on the measures to be included in the Northern Ireland (Stormont House Agreement) Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech 2015.
Documents
Details
The aim of the Bill is to deliver a number of commitments made by the UK Government contained in the Stormont House Agreement. These are:
Historical Investigations Unit
The Bill will establish a new independent body to take forward outstanding investigations into Troubles-related deaths.
Independent Commission on Information Retrieval
An independent body established by international agreement between the UK Government and Irish Government that will enable victims and survivors to seek and privately receive information about the Troubles-related deaths of their next-of-kin.
Oral History Archive
A central place for people from all backgrounds to share experiences and narratives related to the Troubles and to draw together existing oral history projects.
Institutional reform
The Bill will contain a provision to extend the time available to allocate Ministerial positions from 7 days to 14 days after the Assembly first meets following an election.
These new institutions, which place the needs of victims and their families at their heart, will operate in a way that is balanced, proportionate, transparent, fair and equitable.