Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On Ballymurphy, the significance of the report that was released today should not be underestimated. This happened over a three-day period almost five decades ago. The families involved are representative of many families across Northern Ireland from different backgrounds and communities who have been tortured for decades because they have not been believed, understood or listened to and they have not managed to establish the truth. In order for reconciliation to be as powerful as it needs to be in the context of Northern Ireland and its future, we must ensure that we have a structured system that can establish the truth where possible and pursue justice, where possible. Many victims' families recognise that the pursuit of justice in a court may not be possible in many cases but they certainly want that opportunity. That is what the Stormont House Agreement delivers and we will continue to support that.

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