Sectarianism stoked by young people must not become a current day legacy of the Troubles, a cross-border parliamentary body heard today.
TDs and MPs on the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee today hosted Victims’ Commissioners Patricia MacBride, Bertha McDougall and Mike Nesbitt in Leinster House.
The Commissioners, who were appointed by the Northern Ireland Assembly in January, are examining the legacy of the Troubles and its impact on victims.
Fine Gael TD Seymour Crawford told today’s sitting of the committee that education programs and support groups were needed to help ease sectarian tensions among young people who had not lived through the Troubles.
“There are enormous problems out there today in terms of all sorts of sectarianism on both sides and that is something we must deal with as quickly as possible,” he said.
“Many of these young people involved never witnessed the murder and mayhem and they don’t realise what they’re getting themselves into.”
The Cavan/Monaghan TD added: “I was quite frightened by some of the things I found in my own county recently.”
SDLP MP Alasdair McDonnell said victims must not be allowed to be forgotten or to be submerged in the past.
“Those who shout the loudest must not be given advantage over those who don’t shout at all.”
Fianna Fail TD Cecelia Keaveney added: “We need to ensure that second or third generation victims don’t become perpetrators or continue the victimhood into another generation.”
She told the committee: “I don’t believe sectarianism or bigotry is confined to the Six Counties.”
Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty insisted that republicans had come forward and fully acknowledged their role in the Troubles.
He added: “Victims’ groups will take different forms, some are organised and some are quiet, but it is certain that all are deeply, deeply hurt.” He also warned against victim groups becoming too dependent on public grants.
Commissioner Ms McDougall insisted that all victims would be treated on an equal basis.
She added: “Nobody wishes to draw a line under the past but we must look for creative ways to move forward at a pace victims are comfortable with.”
PA