First survey results and next steps

We’ve published the results of our first public survey for how the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery should be designed and work so that it delivers for people across Northern Ireland.

We asked people to give their views on a range of issues from how information recovery should happen to how the Commission should build its independence. This was the first of many public surveys to give people a voice in design work for the new Commission and over 200 people responded. You can find the dataset and review the results in the Documents section of our website.

Views from a wide range of communities and individuals

We received 218 responses from people from across Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. While a small starting sample, the headline results of this survey show:

• 70% think the best way for the Commission to learn positive lessons about what has worked well is to talk to and listen to victims and survivors of the Troubles and their families.
• 62% think recovering information for families is the most important thing the Commission can do to support reconciliation.
• 86% think that the Commission being open about what it is doing and how it is doing it is the most important part of its approach.
• 76% supported the idea that the Commission should provide regular updates to families about their cases
• 76% said that to them the important work of the Commission was requests to review cases involving deaths, followed by 68% of respondents placing importance on considering cases where fresh evidence has come to light.
• 56% supported public input to the Commission’s work through further online surveys.
• 62% said they would be likely to engage in work undertaken by the Commission.

Take part in the next Have Your Say survey

The next survey will be launched next week and will seek further views and input on aspects of design for the Commission. You can take part in the survey by visiting the ICRIR website.

Design considerations for how the Commission will approach cases

We have also published a paper setting out some high-level considerations for how the Commission will handle cases when a request from a member of the public is made. This reflects the results of the survey published today, as well as work to understand how similar systems have operated previously, such as the Historical Enquiries Team and Operation Kenova.

The paper also seeks to reflect good practice and a trauma-informed approach from recent public inquiries into child sexual abuse. It does not represent a firm proposal but provides more information about the flexibility that the Chief Commissioner-designate believes there is to design a system which will deliver results to people. It seeks to provide a basis for discussion and comments to assist the Commission to develop firm proposals.

The paper sets out design considerations for how the Commission could approach cases brought to it and seeks to set out the high-level approach that the Commission could adopt. It describes three phases:

Engagement – where people are supported through making their request for information recovery, with an emphasis on understanding their needs, explaining the process, and maintaining regular updates as the work progresses.

Information Recovery – where different types of examination, from a criminal investigation, to a focus on unanswered questions, need to be available to meet different circumstances.

Findings and future – where the results of the information recovery need to be analysed so that findings can be made and a report setting out the circumstances of the case can be produced.

Within these phases there will need to be different steps and there are many issues of design which need to be considered. Sharing these issues early is intended to gain wider views and public input so that the Commission can develop firm proposals.

How you can get involved

• You can give your views on how the Commission should do its work by responding to the next Have Your Say survey, which is expected to launch soon online.
• You can also comment on the latest proposals using the Contact Form on the ICRIR website or by post using our Freepost address.
• If you would like to be added to the mailing list so you can be kept up to date with the Commission’s work, please email ICRIR using the Contact Form. You can also write to us at Freepost ICRIR. Contact information is held securely and not shared except to keep individuals up to date with the Commission’s work where they have requested it.