The founding director of the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation has said “we have to find a way of bringing the conflict to an end”.

The New Legacy Act which was introduced yesterday (Wednesday) in Northern Ireland will bring an end to all civil litigation cases and inquests into deaths that occurred during The Troubles.

David Bolton made these comments as the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) became operational on May 1, established by the Legacy Act.

Mr. Bolton, who lives in Fermanagh and is the author of the book, ‘Conflict, Peace and Mental Health’ said: “I think there is the potential within the ICRIR for it to provide answers for victims and survivors.

“As a civilised society, we have to find a way of bringing the conflict to an end that is respectful of victims and survivors.”

He acknowledged the widespread opposition to the new Act from various bodies including victims and survivors.

He continued: “It is clear that the normal judicial processes weren't adequate. We have to accept the reality that various parties to the conflict aren’t willing to share information and that's a reality that is to be regretted. But it means that victims and survivors will never get the answers they want unless we create processes that enable those answers to be brought forward.”

If answers are provided it may “ease” the emotional burden for the bereaved he believes.

“Inevitably, if things aren't resolved, then memories of the conflict are passed on from one generation to the next. Those memories are laden with sorrow, with grievance, with loss.

“If some of those emotional burdens of what people have experienced can't be eased, they'll never be eradicated, but if they can be eased, then that is inevitably going to be beneficial for families but also for us as a community.”

As a result of the new Legacy Act, any inquests and civil cases that have not reached the findings stage have been halted.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland will no longer have responsibility for investigating unsolved crimes relating to the region’s troubled past. Those investigations will switch to the new commission.

This new law has been opposed by all Northern Ireland politicians, victims groups, and many families who were bereaved during the Troubles.

The act's most controversial element, the offer of conditional immunity to suspects, has been disapplied following legal action by families of those who died during The Troubles.

The chief commissioner of the ICRIR is the former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Sir Declan Morgan. He has said he is convinced the ICRIR can be a success despite the widespread opposition.

The commissioner for investigations for the ICRIR will be Peter Sheridan, a former Assistant Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) who is from Enniskillen and is a former student of St. Michael’s College.

He was the highest-ranking Catholic officer in the PSNI before his retirement,. Following his policing career he served as Chief Executive of Co-Operation Ireland.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the legislation should be “binned”.

She told the Stormont Assembly: “I think it is the collective will of all parties of the chamber that this legislation is horrific and it should be repealed immediately.”

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said he was confident the commission could deliver results if it is “given an opportunity to demonstrate its effectiveness”.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher acknowledged this was an “unsettling and uncertain time” for the families of victims.

He said:” I want those families to know that should they choose to approach the Independent Commission in relation to their case that the Police Service of Northern Ireland will ensure that Sir Declan Morgan and his team have unfettered access to all of the material in those cases. "

The Labour Party has said if it comes to power it would restore legacy inquests and the ability for Troubles victims to bring civil cases. However, Hilary Benn, Shadow Northern Ireland secretary said he would not scrap the ICRIR if Labour came to power.

The commission’s case support team can be contacted via telephone on 028 9036 2093, by email at Casesupport@icrir.independent-inquiry.uk and by post at ICRIR, FREEPOST.