Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept Deputy Brendan Smith’s point about funding for community and victims groups. The issue of victims is centre stage at the current talks with particular reference to dealing with the past. Unless and until this issue is addressed, there will be lasting scars of a serious nature in society in Northern Ireland and, to an extent, across the island. A significant proportion of the efforts over the past several weeks has been dedicated to the complex and important question of dealing with the past and its legacy that would involve victims, their families, relatives and friends.

Some work has already been done on these issues. We are following up on the good work undertaken in the course of the Haass negotiations. Issues considered during these talks included the need to make available appropriately resourced services for victims and survivors. This would also involve the establishment of a historical investigations unit and an independent commission for information retrieval.

The Irish Government provides funding across a range of issues on the matter of peace and reconciliation. I am pleased that in the recent budget, in spite of the challenges therein contained, that this funding will continue.

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