Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery

Baroness O'Loan Excerpts

Wednesday 21st May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

The noble Lord served for many years in the other place and will be very aware that I cannot comment on ongoing court proceedings, but he does raise a very important case—that of the McConville family. Every time such cases are raised, we need to remember the impact they have on the families concerned and all victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Three and a half thousand people lost their lives; families were for ever destroyed, and many people were hurt. There is a responsibility on all of us to make sure they get justice where they can and get to find their truth too.

[Baroness O'Loan (CB)]

My Lords, given that the Minister is quite correct in saying that the ICRIR cannot deal with cases post-1998, and given that the PSNI budget has been so seriously reduced that it is now operating with 75% of the officers it should have, can she commit to the development of ring-fenced funding to enable the PSNI to deal with the cases referred to by the noble Lord, Lord Elliott, in order that justice may be done?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

My Lords, with Stormont up and running, how finances are allocated and spent is a matter for it. That includes the PSNI budget. The noble Baroness will be aware that at the spending review we increased additional security funding for the PSNI for this financial year by £37.8 million. She will be further aware there are ongoing conversations between the NIO and the Northern Ireland Executive about how we can keep working together, but part of this is a question for the Northern Ireland Executive.