Personal Stories/Opinions
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VERBAL ABUSE AT REDRESS NOT IN 2002 ACT
I notice in the Newspaper Article (Victim protests over redress board hearing) by Liam Reid dated 16/04/2004 that Mr Tom Sweeney says that at his Redress Board hearing, he had to endure 'disparaging remarks' by members of the Redress Board. Having read the Redress Act 2002 I can find nothing which gives this Board the right to make any such remarks to anyone if they are to abide by the Act as follows:-
Functions of Board.
5.-(1) The Board shall-
(a) make awards in accordance with this Act which are fair and
reasonable having regard to the unique circumstances of
each applicant,
(b) make all reasonable efforts, through public advertisement,
direct correspondence with persons who were residents
of an institution and otherwise, to ensure that persons
who were residents of an institution are made aware of
the function, referred to in paragraph (a), of the Board,
(c) have regard to the age and health of an applicant when
determining the order in which applications are heard by
it, and
(d) ensure, in so far as is practicable, that hearings are conducted
as informally as is possible having regard to all the
circumstances.
(2) The Board shall have all such powers as are necessary or
expedient for the performance of its functions.
(3) When considering an application under this Act the Board-
(a) shall not address any issue of fault or negligence arising out
of evidence given in an application under this Act, and
(b) shall not make a finding of fact relating to fault or negligence
referred to in paragraph (a).
(4) The Board may-
(a) give directions for the purposes of exercising its functions
under this Act, and
(b) make provision for the taking of evidence on commission
for the purposes of this Act.
I see nothing in the above which shows that the Board has the power to verbally abuse the very people it was set up to help and further, if the Board is in violation of the Act by such abuse, why then are counsel and or solicitors not taking them to task at the time of the remarks and or abuse?
I would encourage people to be on the lookout for unwarranted and potentially abusive remarks when they appear and that each and every one of us instruct our counsel/solicitor to take any action necessary if such abuse is voiced.
Email: Martin John Joseph Petty-O'Callaghan,
Bradford, England
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