The new body which will examine legacy cases from the Northern Ireland Troubles has had 85 enquiries about possible investigations since it became operational on 1 May.

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) can accept requests for the next five years.

Of the enquiries, eight have been accepted for investigation.

The ICRIR has powers to look into more than 3,500 killings and serious incidents which left up to 40,000 people injured.

Responding to the caseload figures, the director of Belfast-based human rights group CAJ said the new establishment of the ICRIR had “led to legacy investigations practically grinding to a halt”.

“Four months in, the ICRIR only has a caseload of eight investigations. This is very low,” Daniel Holder said.

“Compare this to the hundreds of cases that were being dealt with by the Police Ombudsman, Inquests, civil litigation and police teams that have all been shut down by the Legacy Act.”

Mr Holder added: “No amount of spinning on the numbers of general enquiries can disguise that very few requests for investigations have been received.”

In an update on its work, the ICRIR said that of the 85 enquiries from victims, survivors and families, “eight have now been accepted for investigation”.

The body’s chief commissioner is the former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Sir Declan Morgan.

He said: “There are no quick wins and we must be thorough.

“We must also not rush or cut corners, so that prosecutions and findings we make are well supported in evidence.”

Mr Sheridan added: “Many of the individuals and families the commission will meet will have experienced harm and suffering and may have waited many years to find out more about what they and their loved ones went through.

“We recognise the seriousness of the work that we are undertaking and understand that how we do things is as important as what we do.”

Last week, the ICRIR said it had “unprecedented powers” to compel individuals and organisations to provide it with the information it requires to conduct investigations.

In consultation with those who seek its help, the ICRIR, which has police powers, will decide on the type of investigation to be carried out.

Speaking at the British Irish Association conference at the weekend, the Tánaiste (Irish deputy Prime Minister) Micheál Martin questioned the ICRIR’s independence.

He said the body would require “root and branch reform”.

However, Sir Declan rejected his claim.

“He is not right about us not being independent, if that is what he is suggesting.

“The courts have found that we are independent – the litigation that was taken by families had a look at this.

“The court found we had the necessary independence to do investigations,” Sir Declan told BBC Good Morning Ulster.

He added he was “perfectly happy” to listen to suggestions “that might enhance that independence”.