ICRIR finalises Framework for Information Recovery

 
Launched today, the Operational Design Framework reflects the results of dialogue with the public and stakeholder groups on how the Commission carries out its work.

Sir Declan said that having reviewed the results “the commission has adapted and improved as it begins to actively work on requests for information and beyond.”

Some of the key adaptions outlined in the Operational Design Framework include:

• The creation of a Charter of Commitments which outlines what a victim, survivor, family member or witness can expect from their journey with the Commission. This Charter will be subject to further feedback.
• Allowing all those who engage with the Commission to be accompanied by a chosen representative if they wish, following recommendations by the Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland, and the Ulster Human Rights Watch.
• Increased flexibility around changing the nature of requests if new information comes to light during an investigative process.

The consultation process also reinforced the importance of supporting individuals through the process, something that the Commission has always been committed to and is repeated in this framework.

The Operational Design Framework also reiterates how a dedicated Case Support Team will provide a key point of contact throughout the course of the investigation and how the principles of ECHR compliant investigations will be applied for all those who make a request. 

ICRIR Chief Commissioner Sir Declan Morgan, said: 

“Our commitment to the European Convention of Human Rights to respect the principles of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and providing meaningful information to those affected by the Troubles/ Conflict is paramount, and with the publication of our Operational Design Framework we are now able to detail how we will deliver on those commitments. 

“We could not have developed it without the dialogue we have had with people across Northern Ireland and Great Britain, both in the consultation and through wider engagement – including with victims Groups and Human Rights representatives in the UN and the Council of Europe, and all those with an interest in the Commission’s work.

“This commission will always welcome constructive dialogue and we will take further learning from our operations and from feedback into account for future improvements.”

Commissioner for Investigations Peter Sheridan, said:  

“Since we began our work on 1 May we’ve had significant contact from a wide range of individuals about what the Commission might be able to do in their cases.

“These sensitive conversations are ongoing and our Design Framework sets out clearly the next steps going forward.

“We are determined to support victims, survivors and families to access the information they need.”

The Design Framework reflects the different approaches that might be taken, with prosecutions available where the evidence supports it, but other routes to provide more information and set out an acknowledgement of the wrongdoing.”

The full Operational Design Framework and consultation response documents can be found on the ICRIR website here. 

The Commission has also announced Louise Warde Hunter will be its new Chief Executive Officer. Ms Warde Hunter will leave her current position as Principal and CEO of Belfast Metropolitan College and join the Commission during August.

Over the last year ICRIR has published a variety of policy papers and proposals on its website and put in place a Code of Conduct, policies for robust governance, declaration and management of outside interests, and complaints handling.  

The Commission took on the remit to investigate deaths and serious harm related to the Troubles/Conflict from 1 May. 

NOTES TO EDITORS 
 

• On 14 March 2024, the Commission launched a formal eight-week consultation on its operational design framework which set out proposals on how the Commission will operate and invited participants to consider 16 questions on these proposals. 
   
• 11 responses  were received from the following organisations: Commission for Victims and Survivors (CVS), Victims and Survivor Forum (part of the Commission for Victims and Survivors), Co-operation Ireland (CI), the Methodist Church in Ireland (MCI), the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Northern Ireland Retired Police Officers Association (NIRPOA), the Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame (UND), Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW), the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland (RCPNI), the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement (NIVM), and the Law Society Northern Ireland. 
   
• In addition to the above list of organisations, two individual members of the public took part in the consultation.  
• The Charter is being published today in draft so that in addition to being discussed with current requesting individuals, others can  provide comments and feedback to help improve it.
• Prior to her leadership role at Belfast Metropolitan College, new incoming ICRIR CEO Louise Warde Hunter worked as a senior civil servant for over 13 years in a range of government departments including Communities, Agriculture, Justice, Environment and Education. Louise has also worked as a CEO and senior leader in the voluntary sector across the UK and Ireland in  organisations developing civic leadership and improving outcomes for vulnerable young people and their families. Born and raised in Belfast, Louise is a graduate of both the University of Manchester and Queen’s University, Belfast.

  

• The following dedicated telephone line, operated by trained staff, and other contact routes is now 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 (apart from public holidays).  
   
• Anyone who would like to provide feedback on the Commission’s work to define its processes and principles can also email us at our Contact page to be added to our mailing list for updates.