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Protesters disrupt legacy launch NI Troubles legacy to cost £300m
(30 minutes later)
Proposals on how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles, including a £12,000 payment for families of all those killed, have been published. Proposals to deal with the legacy of Northern Ireland's Troubles could cost up to £300m, a report on the past has said.
Protesters temporarily disrupted the launch, including former unionist politician Cedric Wilson and Willie Frazer from victim's group Fair. The plans include a £12,000 payment for families of all those killed.
Unionists and some groups have rejected the payment because it would include republican and loyalist paramilitaries.Unionists and some groups have rejected the payment because it would include republican and loyalist paramilitaries.
Report co-author Lord Eames described the money as a "recognition payment". Lord Eames, one of the report's authors, said it was time for a "final step out of the conflict by dealing with the legacy of the past".
The 190-page report, which contains more than 30 recommendations, will go to the government for consideration.The 190-page report, which contains more than 30 recommendations, will go to the government for consideration.
It has been compiled by the Consultative Group on the Past, an independent group set up to deal with the legacy of Northern Ireland's Troubles, during which more than 3,000 people died. The report has been compiled by the Consultative Group on the Past, an independent group set up to deal with the legacy of Northern Ireland's Troubles, during which more than 3,000 people died.
The proposals include a legacy commission which would be led by an international figure.The proposals include a legacy commission which would be led by an international figure.
This commission would take over the work currently carried out by the police ombudsman, which investigates complaints against the police, and the Historical Enquiries Team, a specialist police unit set up to investigate unsolved killings throughout the Troubles.This commission would take over the work currently carried out by the police ombudsman, which investigates complaints against the police, and the Historical Enquiries Team, a specialist police unit set up to investigate unsolved killings throughout the Troubles.
Speaking at the news conference, Lord Eames, a former Church of Ireland Primate, said it was "time for society to take the final step out of conflict by dealing with the legacy of the past." Speaking at the news conference, Lord Eames, a former Church of Ireland Primate, said their package offered different options.
"We know that one size does not fit all and we are not imposing a one size fits all approach," Lord Eames said. "We know that one size does not fit all and we are not imposing a one size fits all approach," he said.
"But we are recommending... one package that offers many different options for individuals and communities.""But we are recommending... one package that offers many different options for individuals and communities."
Scuffles broke out at the start of the launch Eames on payments to Troubles victims
Denis Bradley, who chaired the group with Lord Eames, said the report can address "the calls for justice, the pleas for truth".Denis Bradley, who chaired the group with Lord Eames, said the report can address "the calls for justice, the pleas for truth".
"We have heard your pleas and we say you are right," he said."We have heard your pleas and we say you are right," he said.
"And we have proposed the best way that we can construct to deliver justice and truth so that you too can move on.""And we have proposed the best way that we can construct to deliver justice and truth so that you too can move on."
Protesters temporarily disrupted the launch, including former unionist politician Cedric Wilson and Willie Frazer from victim's group Fair.
One of the main critics of the plan to pay victims' families was Northern Ireland's First Minister, the DUP leader Peter Robinson.One of the main critics of the plan to pay victims' families was Northern Ireland's First Minister, the DUP leader Peter Robinson.
He told Secretary of State Shaun Woodward on Tuesday that the suggestion had "irreparably damaged" the group's report.He told Secretary of State Shaun Woodward on Tuesday that the suggestion had "irreparably damaged" the group's report.
On Wednesday Mr Woodward said that people should carefully consider the report.
"Northern Ireland has constantly demonstrated how it is possible to resolve issues which may seem impossible."
He said the report "puts these complex issues firmly into the public arena and encourages all of us to seek ways to find a consensus on how to deal with the past".
The recommendations include:The recommendations include:
• An independent Legacy Commission to last five years with a £100m bursary to tackle the tasks of securing reconciliation, justice and information recovery• An independent Legacy Commission to last five years with a £100m bursary to tackle the tasks of securing reconciliation, justice and information recovery
• Reconciliation Forum to help the Legacy Commission and the existing Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland (CVSNI)• Reconciliation Forum to help the Legacy Commission and the existing Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland (CVSNI)
• The nearest relative of each person who died in the conflict should receive a £12,000 "recognition payment"• The nearest relative of each person who died in the conflict should receive a £12,000 "recognition payment"
• A new Review and Investigation Unit to replace the police Historical Enquiries Team and the Police Ombudsman's unit dealing with historical cases• A new Review and Investigation Unit to replace the police Historical Enquiries Team and the Police Ombudsman's unit dealing with historical cases
• No new public inquiries• No new public inquiries
• The Group did not propose an amnesty for crimes linked to the conflict, but recommended the Legacy Commission should make proposals on how a line might be drawn• The Group did not propose an amnesty for crimes linked to the conflict, but recommended the Legacy Commission should make proposals on how a line might be drawn
• An annual Day of Reflection and Reconciliation and a shared memorial to the conflict• An annual Day of Reflection and Reconciliation and a shared memorial to the conflict


Has your family been affected by the Troubles? What do you think about compensation? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Has your family been affected by the Troubles? What do you think about compensation? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
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