Peadar Tóibín
Question:38. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when he will meet with the families of victims of the Glenanne gang. [13194/21]
View answerWednesday, 31 March 2021
Questions (38)
Written answers
As I outlined to Deputy Tóibín in the House on 7th October 2020, I would be happy to meet with the families of victims of the Glenanne Gang. Prior to being appointed Taoiseach, I met with victims and the families of victims of the Glenanne gang. What the Glenanne gang did was the worst possible manifestation of evil by any gang, perpetrated on innocent people.
However, due to restrictions related to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic an opportunity for such a meeting has not yet arisen. I hope to meet these families as soon as circumstances allow.
I have been clear that all victims and survivors of the Troubles deserve access to truth and justice. It is why it is vital that we put in place a comprehensive framework to address all cases.
The Stormont House Agreement framework is the way forward on these issues. It was agreed by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it must be implemented.
The Government is committed to working with the UK Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland to address the painful legacy of the Troubles. We will do this as agreed through the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement framework, in order to support wider societal reconciliation, build greater community confidence in policing and meet the legitimate needs of victims and survivors in Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland.
We will continue to press the British Government on the implementation of the agreed, collective, framework.
Only through a collective approach can we hope to deal with these issues comprehensively and fairly, and in a way that responds to the needs of victims and survivors, and society as a whole.