Mr. Mark Thompson:

I thank Senator Black. We were in the United States a few short weeks ago. We were invited to address the issue with the Irish diaspora. There are quite a number of such families living on the east coast of the United States where we were. I spoke at four events and we had a number of meetings. The Irish diaspora and the Irish-American community were central to establishing and helping us to get the Good Friday Agreement. They are very proud of this fact. The legacy Act effectively hollows out key provisions in it. Professor Rolston referred to that earlier. In this context, not only did we speak about and give updates on what was happening but we rallied support for a lobby to encourage the Irish Government. We met a number of legislators, Members of Congress and key aides. The clear message from all of them was that if the Irish Government were to move to take a case, they would support it fully. They are very much aware of the backdrop to this since it was introduced by Brandon Lewis as a command paper, right through its passage into law. They have been active and supportive of the families and their rights being afforded and protected with regard to proper and effective investigations. They are very vocal and supportive.

It is my understanding that there is a letter circulating in draft form and I am told it may emerge in the coming days or weeks. It is in respect of directly writing to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, whom we know also engaged with the US Administration on this when they were last together at the UN in New York. Everyone is active on it. The message is that the Irish Government tried and did everything to the best of its ability but the UK has continued regardless and ignored all of the pleas internationally from the US, the international community and the Irish Government. If the Irish Government were to act, it would be encouraged to take the case.

In the summer of 2022, we were very privileged to join the Cathaoirleach and other distinguished members of the panel, including John Finucane, when we attended and held a number of meetings on Capitol Hill on this issue. We were very well received. It was at that time that the Cathaoirleach took the decision to state that if the Government were to take an interstate case, he would be on record as supporting it. All of this is encouraging. We need to encourage the Government internationally with as much support as possible to take the case and we are urging it to do so.