Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if there are any outstanding legislative obligations for her Department arising from commitments made in the Stormont House Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26115/22]
View answerThe Stormont House Agreement, concluded by the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Parties in December 2014, provides for a framework of measures to address the legacy of troubles-related violence in Northern Ireland.
The framework of measures agreed include the establishment of the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR).
Given the cross-border nature of the ICIR, in September 2015, the Government signed an International Agreement with the British Government on the establishment of the Independent Commission for Information Retrieval (ICIR). The development of proposals for legislation to establish the ICIR in this jurisdiction have been progressed, in close cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Heads of Bill are well advanced. However, ICIR will require legislation to be enacted in both jurisdictions with parallel provisions in order for it to come into effect, which is presenting a particular difficulty at the current time.
As the Deputy will be aware, the UK Government recently published a Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill. The Bill does not provide for an Independent Commission for Information Retrieval as set out in the Stormont House agreement and therefore legislation cannot be progressed at this time.
This Government remains committed to the Stormont House framework as the way forward on legacy issues.
The Government will continue to engage and work with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland on this very important issue.
