The British Secretary of State for the north recently signed legislation to establish a payments scheme for people injured during the Troubles. However, the caveat added that this only applies to those affected through no fault of their own is a direct contradiction of the definition of a victim in the 2006 Victims and Survivors Order and a clear attempt by the British and unionism to control the narrative, manipulate the entire process and in effect establish a hierarchy of victims to suit their own agenda. This is simply unacceptable and doesnt take a degree in astrophysics to see how it will work.

Throughout the conflict Britain ran nefarious, shadowy undercover cells in the north like the Military Reaction Force, Special Reconnaissance Unit, 14th Intelligence Company and Force Research Unit. In 2013 Panorama aired a documentary about the MRF and drew on interviews from former members who admitted that they shot unarmed civilians without warning and at random. The existence of these secretive groups has never been admitted nor have their activities been investigated. However, under the legislation proposed by the Tory government there will be nothing to stop former members of these state paramilitary militias and other intelligence operatives who controlled and armed loyalist murder gangs from applying and getting a legacy payment for physical and/or mental health issues brought on by their service in the north. It will be ensured, more than likely through new legislative clauses that their conditions will come under no fault of their own.

In comparison 17 men, women and children were killed during the Troubles by rubber and plastic bullets. Hundreds more were injured and maimed through the use of these weapons. Many of those affected were hit by the British army and RUC firing recklessly in built-up, urban areas and often in a totally random manner. A lot of victims were also deliberately targeted and many of them were totally innocent people who have been left with life changing injuries as well as severe psychological issues. Under the British proposals victims of rubber/plastic bullets will more than likely fall foul of the no fault of their own clause as they will in all probability be blamed for their own predicament by the terms of the scheme and seen to be responsible for their conditions by those responsible for overseeing the process.

So we could have the surreal situation where British operatives who killed innocent people could get a legacy pension while civilians who were maimed by the same state forces will get nothing. This is Britain and unionism officially creating a hierarchy of victims, telling many people they simply dont matter and that their suffering means nothing.

S BURNSBelfast BT15

Revision of code of conduct for Spads may prove an exercise in futility

The return of Stormont has seen a few fresh faces introduced to the chambers along with these novices return the main protagonists of the previous administration. Although for some of the former ministers albeit in a somewhat reduced capacity. There was also a proposed revision of the code of conduct pertaining to unelected special advisers which one can only assume is to prevent individuals from going on solo runs. The suggested revision may prove an exercise in futility. Also extremely worrying and wholly incongruous with the spirit of the New Decade, New Approach is the return of former Spads to highly paid positions. An example of this is Peter Robinsons former adviser who left the job collecting a generous pay-out along with a handsome pension, before going on to pursue a career as an MP, a venture which failed miserably. And in line with the culture of preferentialism this temporary civil servant has returned as special adviser to the First Minister with a further eye-watering salary of 85,000 pa. With an anticipated 40,000 compensation package for being unelected this surely is strengthening the union democracy at work eh.

KEVIN McCANNBelfast BT1

Sinn Fin as normal as Fianna Fil

Fianna Fil leader Michel Martin considers Sinn Fin not a normal democratic party. Fine Gael taoiseach Leo Varadkar agrees. Do they think it is, as Fianna Fil taoiseach Sean Lemass said of his party in 1926, a slightly constitutional party?

Fine Gaels predecessor Cumann na nGaedheal, prior to and during its proto-fascist 1930s Blueshirt period, said worse about Fianna Fil than is alleged about Sinn Fin today. They advertised in 1932, The gunmen and communists are voting for Fianna Fil today. It is acknowledged that Fianna Fil came to power with substantial IRA support, when the IRA was a mass organisation with thousands of members.

Fianna Fils policies resulted in a huge increase in public house-building and a significant, sustained, increase in the industrial workforce. The policies were characterised as disastrous pie-in-the-sky fantasies that would bankrupt the state. Cumann na nGaedheal was as opposed to Fianna Fils abolition of the oath of allegiance in the Dil to the British sovereign, as are both FF and FG today to Sinn Fins proposal for a border poll.

A knowledge of history and a sense of perspective would not go amiss.

NIALL MEEHANDublin 7

Young voters in charge

The youthful Eire voters are having their day in the sun.

What with a couple of referendums under their belts and now the intoxicating whiff of cordite emanating from Sinn Feins recent past, that section of voters could well believe they are in charge of everything, or perhaps nothing?

ROBERT SULLIVANBantry, Co Cork

Out of touch with electorate

Nothing better illustrates the extent to which Fine Gael and Fianna Fil are out of touch with the people of the country than, on the one hand, their desire that Sinn Fin be part of an administration in Northern Ireland, but on the other hand, their refusal to have them as a coalition partner in government in the Republic.

J ANTHONY GAUGHANBlackrock, Co Dublin

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Britain and unionism now officially creating a hierarchy of victims - The Irish News