Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
18. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the position of the Government on the current UK government legacy Bill; and if an international legal challenge will be mounted. [39759/23]
View answerI understand that the Northern Ireland Legacy Bill completed its passage through the British Parliament on 12 September and will be submitted for Royal Assent shortly. Since this Bill was introduced at Westminster in May 2022, the Government, together with all the main political parties in Northern Ireland, victims and their representatives, church leaders and civic society, has consistently expressed strong opposition to the approach to dealing with the past which the UK government proposes.
I take every opportunity to raise these concerns with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. I have repeatedly made clear to him my strong view that the approach proposed is not compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and would damage reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland. The UK government is aware that Ireland's preferred approach to dealing with these issues would be that agreed by the two Governments, together with Northern Ireland leaders, at Stormont House.
The Stormont House Agreement was the result of an inclusive, all-party process and enjoyed significant support from those most directly impacted by the Troubles. This Bill, in contrast, was introduced without meaningful consultation with those most affected, victims, civil society, and Northern Ireland parties, and with no engagement with the Irish Government. The enactment of this Bill will not draw a line under legacy issues, but will instead ensure that it remains a source of contention, suspicion and mistrust.
I am deeply aware of calls for consideration of the initiation of an inter-state case against the United Kingdom before the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the UK Legacy Bill. Many of those calls come from groups representing victims, and from elected members of this House. As the Taoiseach and I have stated, the Government have sought legal advice on this matter, and when that advice is received the Government will consider what subsequent action will be taken.
