Patten-style Commission needed to deal with legacy of the past

1.16.20pm GMT Tue 20th Feb 2007

Aliance Justice Spokesperson Stephen Farry

Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson has renewed his party's call for the British and Irish Governments to appoint a Patten-style Commission to deal with issues relating to the legacy of the past. This comes in the wake of calls from the Policing Board for a truth commission.

Dr Farry stated: "Alliance welcomes the Policing Board's intervention into the debate on how to deal with the legacy of the past.

"Alliance has tabled proposals with the British and Irish Governments for a Patten-style Commission of domestic and international experts to be appointed to consult, deliberate and recommend a comprehensive set of proposals.

"It is unlikely that any current international model can be readily transplanted to Northern Ireland. However, there are plenty of ideas on the table, with a truth commission being only one such aspect.

"What is required is a comprehensive set of proposals that can address the wide range of demands for truth and justice in Northern Ireland, rather than selective inquiries. A special commission is required to determine what should be done. It will then fall to others to follow through on its recommendations."

ENDS