8 Legacy Commission
Mandate, structure, independence, roles and period of mandate
The Mandate of the Commission
Chapter 7 sets out the case for change and the Group’s proposal for a new Commission, the Legacy Commission. This Chapter explains in more detail the mandate, membership and procedures of the Commission. An independent Legacy Commission would be established to deal with the legacy of the past by combining processes [...]
Issues, external bodies, Reconciliation Forum
Dealing with Society Issues
As mentioned in the Introduction to this Chapter, the Commission would, in the first strand of its work, identify areas of activity to address society issues arising from the conflict. Acting through its Chair it would work with other partners, particularly the CVSNI, to ensure proper coordination of activities. The Chair [...]
Role of the Chair
Overview of Role of Chair of Commission
Taking account of the requirement to work on these society issues with other members of the Reconciliation Forum, the Chair of the Commission should act as a ‘champion’ for the issues; promoting debate; setting the direction for and highlighting where sectors of the community can do more to tackle [...]
Review and Investigation Unit
Establishment of Review and Investigation Unit
The second, third and fourth strands of the new Commission would be to:
- review and investigate historical cases;
- conduct a process of information recovery; and
- examine linked or thematic cases emerging from the conflict.
For the second strand, the Group therefore proposes the establishment of a new, independent Review and Investigation [...]
Information Recovery and the Processes of Investigation
Relationship between Processes of Investigation and Information Recovery
The special procedures of the Information Recovery and Thematic Examination Units would not be applied to a case being handled in one of these processes until a review of that case had been completed by the Review and Investigation Unit.
As stated before, it would be possible for people [...]
Documents and public enquiries
Mediation, Advice and Support for Families
The Commission would have the capacity to mediate to help resolve difficult issues outside its remit in respect of historical cases. It might, for example, help the families of those who suffered as result of the Omagh bombing.
The Commission would ensure that the level of support and guidance to families [...]
Omagh and others
The Omagh families
The bomb attack in Omagh on 15th August 1998 was the worst single loss of life related to the conflict, although it occurred after the signature of the Agreement in April 1998.
During its consultations the Group met with some representatives of some of the Omagh families and, as with other victims and survivors [...]
