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Row over new victims bill delay Victims bill changes 'are agreed'
(20 minutes later)
Another delay in bringing forward the Victims and Survivors Bill has led to rows in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The first and deputy first ministers have said they have agreed to make changes to the bill to put the Victims and Survivors Commission into law.
The first and deputy first ministers have said they have agreed to amend it and will propose changes once legal drafting has been completed. However, they still have not publicised what the changes will be, and the measure was withdrawn when it came up for debate in the assembly on Tuesday.
Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness said they are determined to put the new commission on a "sound and durable footing". Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness said they are determined the commission isput on a "sound and durable footing".
However, the delay was denounced in the assembly by the UUP, SDLP and Alliance. However, Tuesday's delay was denounced by other parties in the assembly.
They called it an abuse of both victims and the assembly, a "shambles and "an absolute horlicks". The UUP, SDLP and Alliance called it an abuse of both victims and the assembly, a "shambles and "an absolute horlicks".
The bill is necessary because of the decision earlier this year to appoint four victims commissioners rather than one. The bill is necessary because of the decision earlier this year to appoint four victims' commissioners rather than one.
It is understood Sinn Fein were unhappy with a series of proposed amendments to it which would allow for the appointment of a chief commissioner. After months of delay over the appointment of a victims commissioner, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness both signed up to a compromise which saw the creation of a new four-strong commission.
On Tuesday, Ulster Unionsit deputy leader Danny Kennedy interrupted a news conference by the Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in the Great Hall, after he claimed the other parties had been briefed about what was happening. But earlier this month their deal ran into trouble when DUP assembly members backed an Alliance proposal which would create a role for a chief commissioner and introduce a system of majority voting on the commission.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have had two weeks to resolve their differences over the possible appointment of a chief commissioner and Mr Adams said some progress had been made. Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson pulled the bill when it came before the assembly on Tuesday, but insisted his department will take the time it needs to get the measure right.
However, the Alliance party has said unless the impasse is resolved it will attempt to bring forward its own bill. Ulster Unionsit deputy leader Danny Kennedy interrupted a news conference by the Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams in the Great Hall, after he claimed the other parties had been briefed about what was happening.
The Alliance party said unless the impasse is resolved it will attempt to bring forward its own bill.