Commission publishes Accountability Update

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information has today announced it has registered 85 enquiries from victims, survivors and families about the possibility of an investigation into their injury or the death of a loved one.

Even before a request is formally made or accepted, the Commission’s trauma and resiliency informed design means that a Case Support Worker spends time answering questions about the investigation process and what the Commission can and cannot do.

Some initial exploratory work may be undertaken to better understand the potential investigation, and individuals are given the time, understanding and space to make their own decisions about whether and when they want to formally request an investigation.

The independent Commission has also confirmed that of those enquiries, eight have now been accepted for investigation and are in the Information Recovery stage.

Details on the number of enquiries the Commission has received since 1 May when it assumed powers to accept requests are contained in an update published today.

Chief Commissioner Sir Declan Morgan said today’s update reflects the Commission’s values about being open and accountable, and above all the focus on delivering for those who have come to the Commission seeking answers.

Sir Declan said that all at the Commission were committed to following the approach that the Commission’s Design Framework sets out so that the Commission met what it had promised. This was the start of earning the trust of those who had come to the Commission.

“We are now at a stage where people have come forward and put their trust in the Commission to take their requests forward. We will now do so in line with our values and core principles, “ he said.

“We are moving into the next phase of our work as the serious and important task of investigation begins.

“In doing this we must meet the commitments that we have made to each person who comes to us, through our open and published policies, and through our trauma and resiliency informed model.”

Commissioner for Investigations Peter Sheridan said the publication of today’s update underlined the importance of maintaining the focus on “people not numbers”.

“Many of the individuals and families that the Commission will meet will have experienced harm and suffering and may have waited many years to find out more about what they and their loved ones went through.

“We recognise the seriousness of the work that we are undertaking and understand that how we do things is as important as what we do.

The Accountability update published today also sets out developments in a number of key areas including:

Independence

The report sets out the Commission’s commitment to publish an annual assessment in relation to the level of independence it has.  To date the Commission does not consider there have been any challenges to its independence from all other bodies including the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive.  However, the Commission’s ability to publicly raise concerns is considered vital in terms of being able to challenge any issues around independence and to call for a strengthening of that independence if required.

Organisational capability

The Commission has worked hard to ensure the foundations are in place to enable us to carry out our work effectively. This has included the establishment of the Board, embedding good governance and consulting on how the Commission should take forward its work.

Skilled and trained staff are essential for the Commission to deliver its objectives. Recruitment principles have been adopted from the start and are now published here: ICRIR Recruitment Principles – Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery. And with the unprecedented access to information the Commission has, there are regular recruitment rounds to build a cohort of qualified skilled investigators available when the Commission is taking on new or additional cases, with 120 posts being recruited to or already filled.

Notes to Editors:

• The Commission has published its ICRIR Accountability Update 1 May – 31 August 2024 – Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery.
• The Commission has also published details of live investigations in information recovery on its website Live investigations in information recovery – Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery (icrir.independent-inquiry.uk).
• On 9 July 2024, the Commission published The Operational Design Framework. The framework sets out what can be expected from the Commission, from initial contact through to the publication of a findings report, and signposts to specific Commission policies. The framework is published here: ICRIR The Operational Design Framework – Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery.
• The following dedicated telephone line, operated by trained staff, and other contact routes is available for all those who wish to request an investigation:
  • Telephone: 028 9036 2093   
  • Email: Casesupport@icrir.independent-inquiry.uk   
  • Post: ICRIR, FREEPOST   
• Telephone lines are open between 10:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday (except public holidays).  
• Anyone who would like to get involved in the Commission’s work to define its processes and principles can get in touch using our Contact page.

For media enquiries please contact press@icrir.independent-inquiry.uk