Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, for his time chairing these talks upon which I am sure he spent hours, days, weeks and months. I know from my contacts in Northern Ireland across the island that people were thankful for the Minister of State's presence at the talks along with his officials. I also thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and the other parties involved for the work they have done on the Fresh Start agreement.

Will the Minister of State clarify how the petition of concern mechanism will be reformed under A Fresh Start? The Government was disappointed that no final agreement was reached on dealing with legacy issues. The committee was privileged to hear some powerful testimonies from Northern Ireland victims and relatives representative groups, many of whom had waited years for justice, disclosure and the truth. In the context of legacy issues, will the Minister of State indicate what happens for these groups now?