Victims commissioners at assembly

The commission is holding a series of meetings

The four members of the Commission for Victims and Survivors have given evidence before a Stormont committee.

They answered questions at the Committee for the First and Deputy First Minister.

It was the first appearance by commissioners Brendan McAllister, Patricia McBride, Bertha McDougall and Michael Nesbitt.

The commission, set up amid a series of controversies, is also to begin holding public meetings.

Consultation on an initial programme of work will take place at the first meeting in Ballymoney on Wednesday.

The commission was created under legislation passed by the assembly last month with the aim of promoting the interests of victims and survivors.

It will work to a three-year corporate plan with programmes for each year.

The commission will consult with victims and survivors, groups and organisations in the community, voluntary and statutory sector.

Its initial work programme focuses on the period from the present until the end of March 2009.

Four additional meetings are scheduled for this month. These will be held in Londonderry on 17 June, Enniskillen, 18 June, Belfast, 16 June and in Newry on 23 June.

In January, details of Northern Ireland's victims' commissioners were revealed.

They include broadcaster Mike Nesbitt and ex-interim victims' commissioner Bertha McDougall whose RUC Reservist husband was murdered by the republican INLA.

The others are Patricia MacBride, whose brother was killed by the SAS and whose father died 17 months after being shot by loyalists, and Brendan McAllister of Mediation NI.

All four posts are full-time and receive the full advertised salary of £65,000.