Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I explained to President Hollande that the European Union had strongly supported the peace process, as a result of which the guns had been taken off the streets and communities were getting on with their business.

President Hollande understands that and Europe still supports the peace process. I did not go into detail with President Hollande about our decision to supply to the coroner's inquest whatever material existed here on Garda files arising from the Kingsmill massacre and I did not mention the Ballymurphy case or the details of any other atrocities. However, I mentioned that issue to the Secretary of State, Mr. Brokenshire, as an example of how the fresh start, particularly in respect of legacy issues, could be commenced to deal with it. If the theory behind the fresh start were to apply in practice, somebody with a real grievance, for example, a person on either side who lost a family member during the Troubles, should have access, through an independent person, to all of the information about the case. The question is whether this approach will apply because it has clearly not applied to date. I spoke to the Secretary of State in the context of the previous Government's decision to supply whatever information we have to the coroner.

I accept that the result of the vote on Brexit was that the people of Northern Ireland, by majority, voted to stay in the European Union. I will articulate this point at the discussions that take place at European Council level. I do not suppose I am expected to articulate the same point on behalf of the people of Scotland who also voted to stay in the EU.

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