Northern Secretary Hilary Benn has begun consulting victims and survivors as the UK government starts the process of repealing the controversial Legacy Act.
Mr Benn met victims, survivors and families from different groups in Co Fermanagh and Belfast today.
There was universal opposition from victims' groups and Northern Ireland’s political parties to the legislation introduced under the previous Conservative government.
It provided an amnesty to killers who co-operated with a truth recovery process. That clause was later struck out by a Belfast judge.
The legislation shut down access to the criminal and civil courts in respect of new Troubles related cases. It also guillotined inquests.
The only circumstances in which cases could proceed to court was where prosecution decisions had been taken prior to the introduction of the new law.
Opponents claimed the legislation’s true purpose was to prevent criminal cases being taken against former British servicemen in respect of killings during the Troubles.
The Labour government had promised to repeal the legislation and reverse the current prohibition on new civil cases and inquests.
"I know that many victims, survivors and families felt ignored by the previous government’s approach to legacy. Indeed, that is part of the reason why the Legacy Act was so widely opposed," Mr Benn said.
"In my meetings with the Victims and Survivors Forum and the South East Fermanagh Foundation today, I reiterated that the views of victims and survivors will be central to this Government’s approach to legacy.
"I am grateful to all those with whom I have spoken today, many of whom shared very personal stories about the loss of loved ones during the Troubles. I look forward to continuing discussions in the period ahead."
In late July, the Labour government wrote to the Belfast courts abandoning an appeal against the striking out of the amnesty clause in the legislation.
