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This consultation paper describes four proposed institutions: (i) The Historical Investigations Unit (HIU); (ii) The Independent Commission in Information Retrieval (ICIR); (iii) The Oral History Archive (OHA); and (iv) The Implementation and Reconciliation Group (IRG).
The PPS have considered these proposals from a prosecutorial perspective. Our greatest direct interest relates to the HIU where there are a number of novel aspects to the proposed relationship between the investigator and prosecutor. Important issues also arise in relation to the potential “parallel process” whereby information can be sought and obtained privately by families through the ICIR.
This response seeks to highlight the key operational and strategic issues in terms of providing for an effective relationship with the HIU, maintaining appropriate safeguards for our independence, and building confidence in the PPS and wider criminal justice system.