Document library

ICRIR's privacy notice sets out how it gathers, stores and uses personal data.

This policy sets out the Commission’s position in relation to meeting with requesting individuals and families in a place or venue which is situated away from the Commission’s premises (off site).

This policy sets out the principles, processes and governance arrangements that will assist the Commission in meeting its responsibilities of ensuring that people participating in the Commission are not harmed and that there are effective procedures in place for the referral of child and adult safeguarding concerns to the relevant agencies. The below policy sets out the Commission’s position in relation to the engagement or presence of children at its premises. For the purpose of this policy, ‘children’ refers to people under 18 years of age i.e. those who have not yet had their 18th birthday.

This policy sets out the processes and procedures adopted by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery in responding to abusive, unreasonable, or vexatious communications by members of the public.

This document sets out the language we use to describe our work. We have carefully considered advice on this from groups and organisations we have met and their guidance is reflected in the wording we use.

From 1 May 2024, the ICRIR, known as ‘the Commission’, takes on the remit to investigate cases of serious harm or death related to the Troubles/Conflict. From this date, bereaved families, victims and survivors, and certain public authorities, may request that the Commission carries out an investigation. Inquests still being carried out on 1 May 2024 are brought to an end, unless the only part still to take place is the final verdict or findings. These inquests will be concluded by the coroner. As part of its investigations, the Commission may apply a mechanism to test evidence called Enhanced Inquisitorial Proceedings, referred to as EIP. This document explains what EIP are, how they work and the reason they may be used. It sets out how EIP would apply to inquests that were at an advanced stage on 1 May and a request for an investigation is made. In these cases, the Commission will work to avoid unnecessary delays to concluding what the inquest started.

This Operational Policy sets out the details of how Enhanced Inquisitorial Proceedings will operate. The Commission’s Consultation on Operational Design sets out that during the course of the later stages of the Information Recovery Stage and in consideration of the Findings Stage, there may, in certain circumstances where criteria are met, be the need for a further process whereby specific evidence is subject to further testing in order to support the Chief Commissioner in making findings. This element of the investigation is referred to as ‘Enhanced Inquisitorial Proceedings’.

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery has agreed arrangements with the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI), to provide independent oversight of the use of police powers by designated Commission officers in Northern Ireland.

The Commission has published a summary of its approach to designating officers with the powers of a Police constable.

This is the first work plan for the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. The plan outlines the activity we will undertake in the financial year 2024-25. There is a broad range of work to finish building the foundations that will ensure that the Commission is operating effectively as an independent organisation rooted in our values of integrity, impartiality, openness, accountability, and respect. The plan also begins to outline how we anticipate the work of the Commission will progress in future years.