Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend the witnesses on their presentations and take this opportunity, having had first-hand experience - as I indicated at the previous meeting - of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains, to compliment them on the work they have done. I reiterate Deputy Brendan Smith's call to anybody out there with additional information, particularly as I have experienced, at first hand, the sensitivity with which the commission has dealt with some of the more recent locations.

Mr. Gormally stated that the UK is in violation of its responsibility, which is a strong statement and one with which I obviously concur. Does he care to comment on the impact these delays on legacy issues may be having on the fragile peace process? I ask that question in the context, again, of a visit we had in Belfast where the older generation involved in the conflict saw no reason to encourage the younger generations to have faith either in the delivery of peace money down to where it needs to go or in the fact that legacy issues will be dealt with. We were seen to be at a stalemate.

My second question relates to Brexit. While we all recognise that the British Government has a responsibility to the Good Friday Agreement, is it important that, as part of its withdrawal from the EU, Britain should be encouraged or made to ring-fence substantial funding to deal with the legacy issues? Regardless of Brexit, it might still be in possible violation of its responsibility to ring-fence funds to build on the peace process.

In addition, there is the question of ensuring that Westminster continues to subscribe to the various programmes that are necessary for the bedding down of the peace.