Recommendation 27

HM Government · verbatim extract Acknowledged

79. The Government agrees that unequivocal recognition and acknowledgement of past harm is an important element in reconciliation. The Joint Framework commits the UK and Irish governments to taking the lead in considering such statements of acknowledgment, noting also the importance that such statements are forthcoming from others. 80. In the 18 months since the General Election, the Government has been informed and guided by the many stakeholders with whom we have conducted significant engagement. We have been listening, and the measures that we have brought forward, primarily via the Troubles Bill, seek to reflect what we have been told by them. As I have stated on a number of occasions, given the range of perspectives held by so many people, it is always going to be impossible to deliver an approach that provides everybody with everything that they want. The Government will, however, continue to engage closely with all interested parties, including the Committee, as the Troubles Bill continues its parliamentary passage, and to consider how it can be improved. 81. That engagement will take place in a spirit of openness, as we consider suggestions on how to further improve the current draft of the Bill that many have already recognised as a fundamental improvement on the flawed Legacy Act of the previous Government. While we cannot please everybody, it is absolutely vital—for victims and survivors, for those who served, and for wider society in Northern Ireland—that we act, and that we will continue to do our utmost to get this right so that the families who have waited for so long for answers may finally find them.