Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
853. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will continue to communicate in the strongest possible terms to the British Government the outrage felt by many persons on this island about its plans to provide amnesty in respect of atrocities carried out in Northern Ireland pre-1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40432/21]
View answerThe position of the Government on the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland is clear and consistent. The Stormont House Agreement is the way forward on these issues. It was agreed in 2014 by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it represents a balanced and comprehensive framework to address the painful legacy of the Troubles, based on the principles of truth, justice, rule of law and reconciliation.
The proposals published by the UK Government on 14 July for a ‘Statute of Limitations’, ending criminal investigations and prosecutions relating to Troubles-related incidents, as well as inquests and civil litigation, have caused significant upset, shock and concern. They represent a very radical departure from the Stormont House Agreement and we do not accept them as the basis of a way forward.
Where the British Government are proposing significant changes to the Stormont House framework, we have made clear that these must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive. 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.
Following a meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 24 June, we agreed to begin an intensive process of engagement with the British Government and the Northern Ireland parties to find an agreed way forward. It is essential that the voices of victims and families are at the heart of that process.
It is the position of the Government that there should be effective investigations into all Troubles-related deaths, regardless of the perpetrator. The rule of law and the protections afforded by the European Convention on Human Rights must apply equally to everyone and must be upheld, and this principle is at the core of the Stormont House framework.
We have strongly communicated our position on this issue to the British Government and will continue to do so, and to caution in the clearest terms against any unilateral action. The Government will continue to engage and work with the British Government and the parties represented on the Northern Ireland Executive on this very important issue in the period immediately ahead, with the aim of finding a collectively agreed path forward that meets the needs of victims, families and society as a whole.
