Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Teggart for her presentation. I assure her, from a Fianna Fáil perspective, that everyone is very much behind what she said earlier and what she is trying to achieve.

As the Chairman said, we are actively working to put an end to this Bill. It is reckless and it must come to an end. Mr. O'Hare and Mr. Reavey outlined how victims across Northern Ireland are being re-traumatised. The cold approach by the British Government is reckless. What is going on is disgraceful. They sit in their Parliament and do not have any concern for the victims across Northern Ireland. It is unbelievable, in this day and age, that we are back where we are with a Bill of this kind.

I commend the Ancient Order of Hibernians, AOH, in the United States on their continuous lobbying and work not just in the United States but in the UK with parliamentarians, as well as linking in with us in this regard. I agree with what was said about the Bill breaching international law. We have been lobbying to get advice from the Attorney General. I thank the Chairman for sending an invite to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and I look forward to him coming before the committee. If this legislation sees the light of day, we will certainly be looking for an interstate challenge. For those who do not know, could Ms Teggart outline what an interstate challenges consists of and why she believes it is the right approach?

When Lord Caine came before this committee, he was told in no uncertain terms by me and other members that the approach taken to doctor the legislation to make it look a little prettier was in no way acceptable. The unilateral action being taken is disgraceful. It is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement and other human rights laws. It does not have any respect for agreements reached heretofore between the Governments, east and west, and representatives of Northern Ireland.

The British Government should scrap what is there and get back to the table. Proper, open negotiations and discussions are the only way to move these issues forwards. It will be fought to the bitter end until that is done.