Prime Minister Tony Blair came under renewed pressure to appoint a Victims' Commissioner in Northern Ireland today following his public apology to the Conlon and Maguire families.
North Belfast MP Mr Nigel Dodds said that in light of the apologies, Mr Blair must explain what is being done about "the long overdue" victims' commissioner". Victims felt neglected, he said.
The DUP man said there was already a human rights commissioner, a children's commissioner and an equality commissioner, in Northern Ireland. "Isn't it only right and proper that the innocent victims of terrorist violence are put on the same footing and given an independent and active voice concentrating on and fighting for their needs?" asked Mr Dodds.
Obtaining funding for victims groups was often an uphill struggle, while prisoners groups received thousands of pounds from the public purse, Mr Dodds said.
A commissioner was a necessary, positive first step towards alleviating the plight of the innocent victims of the Troubles, he added.
"Nothing can ever relieve the pain of losing a loved one to terrorism but the innocent victims of violence deserve a lot more attention than they are currently receiving from the Government," Mr Dodds said.