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Ministerial Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2018

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Ceisteanna (106)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

106. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he met the families of the victims of the Ballymurphy massacre when he was in Belfast recently. [26218/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I met with the families of some of the victims of the Ballymurphy massacre in Belfast on 22 November 2017 to hear their views and experiences and to express the Government’s support.

The Government has supported their campaign, including in 2015 in bringing forward the All-Party Dáil Motion, and the Government will continue to stand in solidarity with the families.

It is very welcome that a fresh inquest will go ahead in September, after the long and continuing campaign by the Ballymurphy families for their right to establish the truth of what happened to their loved ones.

The Coroner has asked for any relevant information to be brought forward and it is a basic right for the families that this should fully occur, to allow for the truth to be finally established by the new inquest without delay.

My Department is monitoring developments with the case and I have directed my officials to remain in regular contact with the families.

I want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the Ballymurphy families in getting to this point and I hope that the inquest will provide the families with the answers that they are still seeking after almost forty seven years.

There are many other victims’ families that are also still seeking truth and justice, often decades after their loss. In February 2016, the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland put forward proposals to process outstanding legacy inquests relating to the Troubles. The Government has been strongly supportive of the LCJ’s proposals as a way of ensuring that those families who are still waiting for legacy inquests are not left to wait any longer.

I have consistently emphasised in discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties the need to ensure that legacy inquests are properly resourced and I continue to raise this issue with the Secretary of State on an ongoing basis. I have urged all with those with responsibilities in relation to legacy inquests to move forward as quickly as possible to implement the helpful proposals of the Lord Chief Justice for Northern Ireland. The Government is continuing to seek urgent progress on this matter.

The Government will also continue to engage with the British Government and the political parties to seek an urgent way forward on the establishment of the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework in a manner that will meet the legitimate needs and expectations of all victims and survivors, and contribute to broader societal reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process.

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