Dr. Stephen Farry:

We are tight for time. I want to try to game out three scenarios and how they would impact on legacy in general but, in particular, the situations of Mr. O'Hare and Mr. Reavey. The first scenario is that the Bill becomes law and there is a ruling from either the ECHR or the UK Government in the context of what is stated by the Council of Europe. In that situation, what damage would have already been done if the Bill becomes law? To what extent could things be unpicked?

The second scenario is that we get a Labour Government after the next general election, most likely in 2024. The Labour Party is on record as opposing the Bill. If it were to repeal the legislation in 18 months or two years, how much damage would have been done? What could be unpicked? What permanent damage would result from the Bill having been passed? Would that be prejudicial to future cases?

The third scenario relates to the Bill in its entirety being dropped by the UK Government or the process becoming extremely slow such that it never reaches a conclusion. There may be an election in the intervening period. If we go back to the messystatus quoof the Bill not being in place but, equally Stormont House not being operational, where does that leave both of the cases?