Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The legacy of the Troubles continues to impact on so many families and communities across this island and beyond as they continue, rightly, to seek truth and justice for their loved ones. The issue has been at the forefront of all our minds in recent days as the events marking the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday took place in Derry. It was an emotional moment across the island and beyond as so many reflected on the terrible day, the bitter legacy and the history that it shaped. We were all struck by the collective determination of the people of Derry, in particular the families, to remember the 14 people who died and those injured on the day, as well as all victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

At this particular time, our thoughts are with the people of Derry and, in particular, the families impacted by Bloody Sunday, but as stated by the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Coveney, as everyone knows only too well, there are many hundreds of families across these islands whose daily lives continue to be impacted by that painful legacy. For anyone who lost a loved one and has to continue to campaign on his or her behalf to uncover the truth of what happened or for any measure of justice, the decades that have passed have not lessened the heartbreak. The wounds have not been allowed to heal. On their behalf, it is incumbent on us, as we work for real, lasting reconciliation on this island, to establish a clear and open legacy process that meets the needs of victims. The Stormont House Agreement gave us such a process. It sets out a path, a framework to guide us, as agreed by the British and Irish Governments and the parties in Northern Ireland. It is incumbent on all of us to see that framework implemented. It is an obligation of us all to see that framework implemented. It is clear that the UK proposals on a statute of limitations do not have the support of victims.

They do not have the support of parties in Northern Ireland and they have united this House as well. They have caused grave concern to international human rights bodies. They are without international precedent. They would, if introduced, be subject to years of well-founded legal challenge and the cause of even greater hardship and pain for yet another generation. They cannot be the way forward.

We have consistently said we are ready to engage with concerns or issues with the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement but any such changes must be discussed and agreed by the parties and both Governments. The Government is always committed, as was the case at the time of the Stormont House Agreement, to fully play our part in the collective effort to deliver for the legitimate needs of victims and survivors across both jurisdictions and for society as a whole.

With respect to New Decade, New Approach, the restoration of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement was a significant achievement. As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, we must do all we can to work for stability in the period ahead. As has been said, there have been challenges, which include issues around legacy, language, identity and Brexit, but there has also been real progress. It is clear that these and other challenges are best met when the institutions that allow for debate, dialogue and co-operation are functioning well for the benefit of the people and the economic and social progress of Northern Ireland. Moreover, the North-South institutions are a core part of the structures created by the Good Friday Agreement and are essential to allow for the Administrations on the island to work together to deliver real benefits for citizens on both sides of the Border. The important work of the North-South Ministerial Council is not currently proceeding as it should. That is deeply regrettable, particularly at a time when we need to focus on supporting communities and businesses across the island to recover from the pandemic. It is best that we work together to do that work on behalf of the people and all of this island. As was said by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, we know what is possible when we work together in a spirit of genuine partnership and with determination, both North and South, and between the two Governments.

For our part, we will continue to work for a brighter, more peaceful and prosperous future for everyone across this island. We will continue to play our part. We should also remind ourselves and everybody else that with all of the discussion of the statute of limitations the British are proposing, there is no statute of limitations in this jurisdiction whatever. Even for an old crime for which justice is demanded, anybody with information should go to the Garda. The Garda will look at the evidence and continue investigations. A number of older files are still open in the Garda. We should always remind ourselves of that in this jurisdiction while continuing to keep the pressure on the British Government to comply with obligations to which it has submitted.

See this speech in context