Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
43. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in light of new evidence emerging regarding the 1973 killing of a person (details supplied), he will make the family's desire for a public inquiry clear to the British government; what steps the Irish Government is taking to aid the family in their quest for justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11095/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have raised the case of the person in question and the family's desire for answers on a number of occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Officials in my Department met with the family in November 2021 and again in February 2023.
On 24 February 2023, I met with the family. The strength of the family's desire for an independent investigation of their loved one's death and for the truth to be put on the record after almost fifty years was compelling.
Following my meeting with the family, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris on 16 March, bringing the case to his attention. I made clear my view that the UK Government's Legacy Bill, since enacted, would deny this family answers and the opportunity to clear their loved one's name. When I met with the Secretary of State in Dublin on 16 May last to discuss legacy matters I highlighted to him that the following day was the 50th anniversary of the death of the person in question. I raised this case again with the Secretary of State in November at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin. I highlighted that this family's efforts to secure a fresh inquest would be thwarted by the UK Legacy Act.
The Secretary of State spoke of the future work of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Retrieval (ICRIR) which has been established under the UK Legacy Act, expressing his perspective that this would be the route for families to obtain answers. However, as the Deputy will be aware, this is not a view shared by the Government. In December, the Government initiated an inter-State case against the UK Government’s Legacy Act under the European Convention on Human Rights. It is the Government's assessment that the Legacy Act closes off avenues to truth for victims of the Troubles and their families. It will be for the European Court of Human Rights to now make a ruling.
