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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Row brewing over NI victims' bill | Row brewing over NI victims' bill |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A major row is brewing between Sinn Fein and the other Executive parties over the possible appointment of a chief victims commissioner. | A major row is brewing between Sinn Fein and the other Executive parties over the possible appointment of a chief victims commissioner. |
| It led to the withdrawal of the consideration stage of the Victims Bill which was to be debated on Tuesday. | It led to the withdrawal of the consideration stage of the Victims Bill which was to be debated on Tuesday. |
| The bill is necessary because of the decision to appoint four victims commissioners rather than one. | The bill is necessary because of the decision to appoint four victims commissioners rather than one. |
| It had been given an accelerated passage so that it would become law very quickly. | It had been given an accelerated passage so that it would become law very quickly. |
| But DUP junior minister Jeffrey Donaldson told the Assembly on Tuesday that it would not now be moved. | But DUP junior minister Jeffrey Donaldson told the Assembly on Tuesday that it would not now be moved. |
| No reason was given but it is understood Sinn Fein are unhappy with a series of proposed amendments which would allow for the appointment of a chief commissioner. | |
| The party's Francie Malloy said: "We had agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein as far as moving forward legislation with the accelerated passage. | |
| "That agreement was reached before Christmas on the lines that we would have equality of commissioners - there can be no hierarchy of victims and no hierarchy of commissioners." | |
| However, the DUP's Sammy Wilson said: "The only thing that strikes me is that Sinn Fein maybe do want to have a commission where they have got control over one member who then can veto everyone else. | |
| "I've got to say I don't think any fair-minded person would say that that is a reasonable way forward." | |
| Mr Donaldson said the bill would be discussed at the business committee. | Mr Donaldson said the bill would be discussed at the business committee. |
| Stalled | Stalled |
| What will happen next is unclear, but unless a solution is found the bill seems unlikely to become law as quickly as the parties would have liked. | What will happen next is unclear, but unless a solution is found the bill seems unlikely to become law as quickly as the parties would have liked. |
| In January, details of Northern Ireland's victims' commissioners were revealed. | In January, details of Northern Ireland's victims' commissioners were revealed. |
| The four commissioners include broadcaster Mike Nesbitt and ex-interim victims' commissioner Bertha McDougall. | The four commissioners include broadcaster Mike Nesbitt and ex-interim victims' commissioner Bertha McDougall. |
| The others are Patricia MacBride, whose brother was killed by the SAS and whose father died 17 months after being shot by loyalists, and Brendan McAllister of Mediation NI. | The others are Patricia MacBride, whose brother was killed by the SAS and whose father died 17 months after being shot by loyalists, and Brendan McAllister of Mediation NI. |
| All four posts are full-time and receive the full advertised salary of £65,000. | All four posts are full-time and receive the full advertised salary of £65,000. |
| The post is intended to promote the interests of victims of the Troubles. | The post is intended to promote the interests of victims of the Troubles. |