Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
70. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland concerning legacy issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28845/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Stormont House in 2014, the two Governments and most of Northern Ireland's parties agreed a way forward on legacy which would meet the needs of victims, uphold human rights and contribute to reconciliation. This approach endorsed was again in the Fresh Start and New Decade, New Approach agreements. However, in May 2022, with the publication of its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, the UK Government decided to move away from the Stormont House Agreement and take a unilateral approach to dealing with the past.
During all of my recent engagements with the Secretary of State, I made clear the Government's opposition to this Bill and outlined my specific and serious concerns about its provisions. At our meeting in Dublin on 16 May, I urged the Secretary of State to pause the progress of the current Bill, to allow a return to a collective approach, which will include victims and survivors.
The Secretary of State advised that he would soon be tabling significant amendments to the Bill. which would seek to address key concerns, including those raised by victims and survivors as well as the Council of Europe.
On 8 June, the UK Government published a list of proposed amendments to the Bill. It is my view that these new amendments fail to sufficiently alter the Bill to address our concerns about its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights and its impact on the fundamental work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Over the course of the next week I will be attending the British Irish Council and the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference. I will continue to convey the view of the Government to the Secretary of State and continue to encourage the UK Government to pause this Bill and return to the partnership approach that has successfully produced a lasting peace for the people of these islands for 25 years.
