Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
2nd Report – The Government's new approach to addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
HC 586
Published 1 December 2025
Recommendations
5
Accepted in Part
Address concerns on ECHR-compliance, sexual crimes exclusion, disclosure risks, and commission powers.
Recommendation
The Government must address concerns about the lack of any specific requirement for the investigations process to be ECHR-compliant; the de facto exclusion of most Troubles-related sexual crimes from the commission’s remit; the perceived risk that the Commission may disclose …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated that the Bill ensures ECHR-compliance through existing duties and removed immunity provisions to allow investigation of sexual offences. It also clarified how family questions will be handled, but defended the current definition of 'serious harm' and did not address the call for enhanced police powers.
Northern Ireland Office
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8
Accepted in Part
Consider binding Ministers to panel recommendations for commission appointments and publishing consultees.
Recommendation
The Troubles Bill partly addresses concerns about the Secretary of State’s wide-ranging powers of appointment to the commission under the Legacy Act. Relinquishing such powers to an independent entity may only raise questions of accountability, so transparency will be an …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation to publish a list of prospective consultees, including victim-survivor representation, noting this is required by Clause 9 of the Bill. However, it rejected the idea of the Minister being bound by a panel's recommendation, citing the need for ultimate oversight.
Northern Ireland Office
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10
Accepted in Part
Publish indicative list of consultees and clarify the oversight board's membership and remit.
Recommendation
In the interests of transparency, we recommend that the Government publish an indicative list of these consultees. Additionally, the Government must explain the membership and remit of the oversight board more clearly to those stakeholders in whom it needs to …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation in part, confirming that Clause 9 of the Troubles Bill requires the publication of a list of consultees and that Clause 4 mandates international expertise on the Oversight Board, whose remit is also explained. However, it rejects annual monitoring reviews, deeming existing biennial and quinquennial reviews sufficient and further obligations overly burdensome.
Northern Ireland Office
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15
Accepted in Part
Clarify commission complaint procedures for maladministration and Police Ombudsman's investigative powers over state actors.
Recommendation
The Joint Framework and Troubles Bill partially fill the gap in commission accountability left by the Legacy Act. It is still unclear, however, what procedure there is to complain about maladministration or service failure by the commission. The Government must …
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Government Response Summary
The government clarified that the ICRIR's public Complaints Handling Policy will remain for the reformed Commission, with statutory provisions for independent performance reviews. It also confirmed PONI's powers apply to current and former PSNI/RUC officers. However, it rejected the idea for the Commission to investigate all Troubles-related offences by state actors, stating it will focus on serious offences as defined by the Bill.
Northern Ireland Office
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