Stewart Dickson MLA said: “I understand the concerns that many have about this specific case. However, it is extremely regrettable that in this case, sensationalism and inaccuracies in media reporting have caused victims of terrorism distress and frustration.
“Regrettably, today’s motion was also similarly flawed. It implies that there was a recent change in policy or procedure, when in fact, the Tariff Scheme that allows for these payments was introduced in 2002 in an effort to bring us into line with the rest of the United Kingdom.
“The whole motion is based on sensationalist reporting of the amount received by the family in this case. We all now know that the sum was substantially lower than what was originally reported.
“While Alliance welcomes the support for a review of compensation policy, the good news is that a review has been underway in the Department of Justice for several months now. I welcome that, and look forward to the outcome.
“Today’s debate, yet again proved the importance of finding a comprehensive way to deal with our past. We cannot go on endlessly rehearsing debates about the past – the Assembly needs to start debating the future.”
ENDS