Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1126. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in implementing legislative measures as required under the 2014 Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34879/18]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that work is at an advanced stage on legislative measures that will contribute to delivery on the Government's commitments in relation to the framework of initiatives to address the legacy of the troubles agreed in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement.
In November 2017 the Government approved the drafting of the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation) Bill. This Bill will further facilitate cooperation with the Historical Investigations Unit (HIU), which is to be established by the British Government to investigate unsolved troubles related killings, and other inquiry mechanisms. It should be noted that the Authorities here are already in a position to cooperate with the HIU, once established, in its criminal investigations through existing mutual legal assistance arrangements. In addition, the Bill will provide for measures to further enhance ongoing cooperation with the Northern Ireland Coroner in troubles-related inquests. The general scheme of the Bill is available on my Department's webpage and drafting is at a very advanced stage. I expect to bring the Bill before the Oireachtas early in the new term.
My Department, with close cooperation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is also finalising a General Scheme for a Bill to establish the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR). The ICIR will be a cross-border institution which will be established to receive information on troubles-related deaths and to prepare a report on the circumstances of the death for the families of the victims. The ICIR will require legislation to be enacted in both jurisdictions. I expect to seek the approval of the Government to draft this legislation early in the new term.
Dealing with the legacy of the troubles on this island is a difficult and complex task. The Government remains fully committed to giving effect to the measures agreed in the Stormont House Agreement. While the political impasse in Northern Ireland has delayed the roll-out of these measures, the Government will continue to work with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland to seek the re-establishment of the Executive.
