The government has published new amendments to its controversial Troubles legacy bill, ahead of its likely passage at Westminster in the coming weeks.
In a statement, the Northern Ireland Office said ongoing police investigations, inquests, the publication of reports and consideration of prosecution decisions will continue until May next year, to allow time for the ICRIR to become fully operational.Sinn Féin assembly member Gerry Kelly said: "The proposed new timeframe for concluding inquests will make it more difficult for families to have this most basic investigation into the killings of their loved ones.
Another amendment states any investigation run by the ICRIR must comply with obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998. Mr Heaton-Harris said: "The government has consistently stated that it would continue constructive dialogue in order to alleviate concerns and strengthen the bill. "This includes amendments on the conduct of reviews, compliance with Convention Rights, the independence of the commission, conditional immunity, and ongoing legal processes."'Speak with one voice'The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said if it was enacted it "would undermine rather than assist reconciliation".
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