Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our three witnesses for coming in today. The work Amnesty International UK has done in this area is so vital. It is appreciated by all of us here. We all agree that this Bill is an outrage. The unity that has been shown by political parties North and South in opposition to this Bill is really striking. It is exceedingly difficult to get them on the same page, which signals just how dire and despicable this legislation is. I was so moved by the stories of Mr. O'Hare and Mr. Reavey, which I had never heard before. This was my first time hearing them. I cannot imagine the trauma and how it has been carried. You never get over it. Then, this Bill comes in and the families are retraumatised. It really saddens me that their parents never got to see justice. It is absolutely devastating. Mr. O'Hare said this Bill is despicable. It is horrific.

My first question is for both Mr. O'Hare and Mr. Reavey if they do not mind. If this Bill is passed, which would be horrific but there is a very strong possibility that it will happen, how important would it be and what it would mean to the families and victims if the Irish Government sought to take an inter-state European Court of Human Rights case against the UK? How important is it for them as families and victims? What would it mean to them? That is what I would love to hear today. I hope the Department and Minister might be able to hear what that would mean for them.