Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
46. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the British government has responded to his communication sent regarding the 1973 killing of a person (details supplied) by the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22421/23]
View answer47. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there has been any further engagement with the family of a person (details supplied) who was shot dead by the RUC in 1973; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28042/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together.
On Friday 24 February 2023, I met with the family of the person in question, who were accompanied by Councillor Michael Naughton. Officials in my Department met with the family in November, 2021 and in early February 2023. Last week, my officials provided the family with an update on engagement with the UK Government on the case and on recent legacy developments following the publication of the latest set of UK amendments to the Bill.
Following my meeting with the family in February, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, to bring this case to the attention of the British Government. The Secretary of State responded to me on the 27 March.
On the 16 May I met with the Secretary of State in Dublin, which included a wider discussion around Legacy matters. At this meeting I raised this specific case. I highlighted to the Secretary of State the fact that the following day was the 50th anniversary of this young man’s death and the family’s ongoing efforts to secure truth and justice.
Too many families are left with serious questions about the deaths of their loved ones and I am particularly conscious of the distress caused to them by the UK Government’s unilateral attempts to legislate in this area. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has advocated the UK Legacy Bill, currently before the House of Lords, as the best way to deal with Northern Ireland's legacy cases. This is not a view shared by victims and survivors, nor indeed by this Government.
I believe that it is essential that all families have access to an Article 2 compliant investigation into their loved one's death. This family's campaign for a further investigation into this killing is one example among many of the cases could be negatively impacted if the British Government’s Legacy Bill is enacted. The Government believes that by providing for amnesties for crimes amounting to gross human rights violations, the Bill, if enacted, could undermine rather than assist reconciliation. If the proposed Bill enters into force, the legislation would have far-reaching and negative impacts for victims, their families and communities in Northern Ireland and beyond.
In the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, I continue to urge the UK to pause their Legacy legislation and return to a collective approach which is human rights compliant and delivers for victims.
