Mr. Colm O'Gorman:

The Chairman is quite right to point out that range of opinion and even disagreement about what the past represents or how we get to it. That, combined with the piecemeal approach adopted thus far, is part of what creates the difficulty. As a human rights organisation the committee should not be surprised that we think there is a rather good framework that could be applied in dealing with the past, namely, the framework of international human rights law. At the state level we want a framework to be put in place that is fully compliant with international human rights standards, as that is the framework that needs to be applied. In doing so, the process must consider, primarily and centrally, the needs and rights of victims of violations.

This theme emerges strongly from research. There was an event in Dublin last night at which victims groups like Justice for the Forgotten presented. Members are aware of this because they met victims and victims groups. Deputy Crowe referred to the notion that we cannot change the past, and we can all agree on that. We must deal with the way in which the past is people's present; we are not talking about looking at history but rather considering the impact of past events on people's lives today. It is a real issue for many people, as the committee is aware. The international human rights law framework provides for clear obligations on the part of states and a framework that should be applied. Processes and systems which are developed must comply with those international obligations, and that can guide people objectively.

I will ask my colleague, Mr. Raj, to speak to the question of conflict in how to address these issues or the priority to be applied to broad thematic matters.