6 Márta 2014, 17:20
The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement was this morning told of the imperative for a comprehensive solution to dealing with Northern Ireland’s traumatic past.
6 March 2014
Representatives from Amnesty International (AI) were presenting the findings of AI’s research report Northern Ireland: Time to deal with the past, which analyses the degree to which the current supports are delivering for victims.
Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD says: “In the aftermath of Bill Clinton’s address in Derry yesterday, in which he implored political leaders to ‘finish the job’, the meeting this morning with Amnesty representatives was timely and opportune. Their detailed briefing underlined the need for a comprehensive framework, grounded in international human rights law, in dealing with the Troubles. There was a broad welcome for the draft proposals on the past that have emerged during the Haass talks, but the potential for them being held hostage by the lack of agreement on flags and parades was raised as a real concern.
“Amnesty acknowledged that the Irish and British Governments have clearly stated their intent to deal with past, but believe their delivery has often fallen short of what is needed. The British Government’s continued withholding of intelligence files related to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, despite a unanimous Dáil motion calling for them to do do, was instanced as an obstacle for those families still seeking justice. As well as the appropriate resources being made available, it was argued that legislation may be required in Dublin, Westminster and Stormont to ensure that future investigations will be effective.
“The Committee was starkly reminded that the violence suffered during the Troubles is an issue for the present, and that the window of opportunity now exists for political leaders to prevent this trauma spilling over into future generations. It was pointed out that most communities worst impacted by the Troubles are usually the most economically deprived. It is important to ensure that greater resources are directed to assist these communities in their recovery and renewal.”
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
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paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies: Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Michael P Kitt, Joe McHugh (Chair), Joe O’Reilly (Vice-Chair), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Brendan Smith, Joanna Tuffy and Jack Wall
Senators: Maurice Cummins (Leader of the House), Jim D’Arcy, Mary Moran and Mary White