Brendan Smith urges special law debate, questions 'Bloodlands' effect
Brendan Smith spoke to the committee on 18 Nov 2021, endorsing a special law debate and a motion in the names of all party leaders and group leaders to raise the profile of the committee's work. He questioned whether the television drama Bloodlands has affected the Commission's work and asked about support from the Department of Justice for a national information programme.
Proposal for special debate
He wholeheartedly endorsed asking for a special law debate and that a motion be in the names of all party leaders and group leaders to elevate the committee's work and the appeal of guests and witnesses on this issue.
Question about Bloodlands and the Commission
He asked Mr Knuffer whether the television drama Bloodlands had damaged or affected the providence, the authenticity or the good work of the Commission, and whether it had sent out a mixed message that could damage appeals for information.
Calls for broader information programme and agency support
He asked whether the Commission receives advice or assistance from the Department of Justice or government agencies to run a worthwhile information programme nationally and possibly in Britain, stressing the urgency as memories fade and searches become harder with time.
Families awaiting remains and site protection questions
He noted that there are still three families who have loved ones whose remains have not been returned, underlining the ongoing importance of the work, and he asked whether areas already searched, including Bragg and Bog, are preserved, fenced off or still accessible to the public.
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I would wholeheartedly endorse your proposal that we ask for a special law debate and a motion to be in the names of all the party leaders and group leaders. That would elevate our work here on the committee and the appeal of our guests and our witnesses in relation to the importance of this particular issue. I just asked, Mr Knuffer referred to the television drama Bloodlands, I did not see that particular programme, but has it damaged or affected in any way the providence, the authenticity or the good work of the Commission? Has it sent out a mixed message in any way that could damage your work and the appeal for information? Also, with regard to you get on with your work on that, do you get advice or have you got assistance from the Department of Justice or some of the government agencies in regard to having a worthwhile information programme nationally, maybe in Britain as well if that is needed, to outline the absolute urgency? Because, as has been said, everybody is getting older, I am sure it is getting more difficult as every day goes on, the memories fade, locations will be more difficult to search as well, so the work gets more difficult with each passing day. I do not know, apart from families and communities that have taken a particular interest, who have been affected by the troubles and that awful era of murder and mayhem, if there is a wide enough appreciation in regard to that we still have three families who have loved ones whose remains have not been returned to them and that your work is ongoing and of the utmost importance to all of us. Maybe should the consideration be given to a higher media profile in regard to the importance of this work and the need to make further progress as soon as possible in view of the time lapse between the awful abduction and murder of these innocent people? And also, Bragg and Bog and the area that has been searched, is that area preserved or is that fenced off at the moment or can people go about their daily business, whoever owns the bog or visitors to that area, is there protection on it or is it preserved the site? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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