Troubles group will meet public

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The body set up to deal with the legacy of Northern Ireland's Troubles has announced the start of its engagement with the public.

Co-chairs Lord Robin Eames and Denis Bradley are meeting the police Historical Enquiries Team in Armagh.

Mr Bradley said they wanted everyone to share their opinions.

"We have met with a number of organisations who have already carried out some very commendable work in this sensitive area," he said.

The Consultative Group on the Past has already met the Stevens Inquiry Team, Healing Through Remembering and the PSNI's Public Enquiries Branch.

They will also meet the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

The Armagh meeting saw the group joined by former Finnish president and arms inspector Martti Ahtisaari and former Drumcree mediator Brian Currin.

"They bring with them not only an international perspective, but a wealth of valuable expertise in mediation, peace work and human rights issues," Lord Eames said.

The consultative group is working towards reporting to the Secretary of State in summer 2008 on a community consensus on the best way to deal with the legacy of the past.

The group will be placing press adverts encouraging individuals and groups with views on dealing with the past to contact them.