Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee am I am delighted to welcome Mr. Michael Culbert, director of Coiste na nIarchimí, Mr. Tom Roberts, director, and Mr. Robert Campbell, project co-ordinator, from the Ex-Prisoners Interpretative Centre, EPIC, to discuss the outstanding legacy issues in Northern Ireland affecting the reintegration of political prisoners. Both organisations seek to address the problems surrounding the integration of political prisoners back into the community. Coiste na nIarchimí is an Irish republican ex-prisoner support group established in 1998. It operates as an umbrella organisation encompassing groups and individuals and its work includes, inter alia, conflict resolution and legacy issues, advocacy, support services and education. I understand EPIC has been operational since 1995 but its roots go back much further. Its original objective was to reintegrate politically motivated prisoners, particularly those from an Ulster Volunteer Force Red Hand Commando background. EPIC's work has extended to a wide range of activities that makes a significance contribution to peace building in Northern Ireland.

I invite Mr. Michael Culbert to make his opening statement followed by Mr. Tom Roberts, after which members may ask questions.