Ms Órfhlaith Begley:

I welcome each of the witnesses. Those contributions have been very emotional for me to have heard for the first time at this committee. I cannot begin to understand the pain and trauma that they and many families have had to endure over the years. Of course, the pain and suffering are further compounded by the fact that they have not been able to locate the bodies of their loved ones in three of those cases - four including Lisa Dorrian. The issue of those who were abducted and secretly buried is a terrible legacy of the conflict. This generation of republicans are trying to undo the wrong that was done. As a result, 13 of the 16 people killed by republicans have been recovered. However, as we know, there are three remains that still have not been recovered, including Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh and Robert Nairac, as well as Lisa Dorrian. I would use the platform of this committee to urge anyone out there who has any information to bring that forward and make it known. That would be the consensus of everyone in the committee today. If anyone has information they should come forward and make sure it is known.

I also take this opportunity to commend WAVE, under the leadership of Ms Peake. She has been remarkable and over the past 30 years the organisation has provided group support and care for many families that have been bereaved or are victims of the conflict. I note her remarks about the British Government's command paper in respect of the amnesty proposals. It is striking that there is united opposition from victims, survivors and political parties right across this island. I do not have many questions but what impact does Ms Peake feel these proposals will have on the overall process of reconciliation? I thank the families for giving up their time to be with us today. This is an opportunity to highlight the cases and encourage anybody with information to make it known and to come forward.