Debate contribution: Victims’ Payments Board: Oversight

Debate contribution by Mr Keith Buchanan on 5 October 2026.

MLA: Mr Keith Buchanan
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 5 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Victims’ Payments Board: Oversight
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5774152

Text

Language is important, deputy First Minister. Some people in the House do not understand that. A recent appeal report from the Victims' Payments Board to a lady who had lost her husband stated:
"The description of the room in which she saw the surgeon and her husband was vague".
Deputy First Minister, a lady in her 80s was expected to describe a room from nearly 50 years ago, when she was looking at her husband, who lay shot. She was expected to describe that room. Is that language appropriate? What support are victims getting to assist them with their long journey?

101 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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