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

For legacy to work, the approach must be built on consensus. That is the real challenge here for politicians to deliver. We must work closely with the British Government and work with all parties in Northern Ireland, so that we can bring all the communities in Northern Ireland with us. If we are going to establish the truth, people will have to come forward and speak about things which they may not have spoken about for decades. We will have to ensure PSNI files are made available. We will have to do our part on this side of the Border also. We have passed legislation to allow members of An Garda Síochána to contribute to inquests in Northern Ireland, which is legally a different jurisdiction.

Both Governments must work together to deliver a structure that can manage the legacy of the past in a way that contributes positively to reconciliation in the future. That is why I have been so direct in saying that neither Government should take unilateral action. We must work through this together. Most importantly, we must bring along political parties in Northern Ireland and victims’ groups and their families have to be at the heart of everything we do, first and foremost. No other issues should be prioritised over those objectives.

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