Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson has said she does not anticipate any more legacy linked reports to be published before the summer - when controversial British government plans on dealing with the past are expected to become law.
The watchdog chief was speaking after the publication of a report into the sectarian murder of nationalist councillor Patsy Kelly in 1974.
The report comes ahead of plans by the British government to introduce controversial legislation dealing with how Troubles cases are dealt with.
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is currently making its way through Westminster.
Under the proposed legislation, which has been dubbed the ‘Bill of Shame' by some opponents, only inquests which have reached substantive hearing stage a year after the bill will be allowed while civil cases have been stopped.
Immunity from prosecution will also be offered in some circumstances.
It has been suggested that this week’s report into the murder of Patsy Kelly may be the last legacy report produced by Ms Anderson’s office.
Speaking to The Irish News on Wednesday, the ombudsman said she intends to continue working on legacy investigations until any new laws are passed.
“I will keep investigating complaints about legacy matters and reporting on those publically until legislation indicates that I cannot do so,” she said.
“The bill as drafted indicates that once the bill receives royal assent that all of my investigation will cease,” she said.
“But let's see, the legislation is still going through the process in the House of Lords, there’s a further part of the committee stage in relation to the House of Lords, so the legislation isn’t law yet.
“Let’s see what the law actually says.
“I will continue to publish historical reports while I have the legislative remit to do so.”
Ms Anderson said the family of Patsy Kelly were let down.
“I feel that the family were failed by police on a number of levels and that the multiple failings in the investigation are, even regarding the standards of today, the standard investigative practice at the time were poor,” she said.
