Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The idea of an amnesty in regard to legacy issues, as proposed by the British Government, is absolutely reprehensible. An amnesty would mean putting an end to all investigations and prosecutions. The Stormont House Agreement is a balanced and comprehensive framework to deal with legacy issues and should be implemented. It is unbelievable to think any government would want to cut off all potential avenues to the truth. Such an idea is absolutely deplorable.

Some family members have invested huge, time, effort and resources - some have literally given up their entire lives - trying to get the truth about what happened to a loved one, be that a sibling, a parent or another relative. It is unthinkable that a unilateral decision would be made by the British Government. Not alone are the political parties in this State and our Government against such an amnesty, but the Northern Ireland Assembly voted unanimously last August in opposition to that proposal. The United Nations, the Council of Europe and senior political figures in the United States oppose it as well. We want to drive home to the British Government the message that it is totally unacceptable.

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