Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak in this important debate.

The legacy proposals put forward by the British Government in Westminster last week were a shocking attempt to cover up the wrongdoings carried out by the British state in the North and can only be described as an insult to the people of Northern Ireland.

It is clear the proposals put forward on the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill were not about delivering justice, truth or peace for victims of the Troubles and their families, who have waited decades for answers. It is clearly about taking access away in order to protect Britain. The model Bill team, made up of researchers who have been looking at human rights compliance solutions to the legal and political challenges regarding Northern Ireland's past have agreed this Bill will not deliver for victims and survivors. Not only that but they have also deemed the Bill unworkable and in breach of the Good Friday Agreement and international law. We must take this very seriously.

"Derry Girls" was mentioned earlier today and it seems we all watched and were moved by the series finale, which so eloquently captured the emotions surrounding and the significance of the Good Friday Agreement. The episode was a great reminder of the importance of the agreement for many people in this Chamber and across the island who were a bit out of touch with what goes on in the North. There is no doubt peace must be protected and advanced.

Unfortunately, what the Good Friday Agreement fails to fully recognise is Britain's role in the hurt and the violence and trauma it caused in the North. Watching recent debates in Westminster, it seems this role is still being ignored and denied. Westminster seems to see itself as a neutral observer whose role is to go in and sort out the conflict in the North. There is a serious misunderstanding and ignorance in this; those in Westminster fail to recognise the fact that not only are they not innocent observers but they are the perpetrators of much of the violence and the conflict originated from their occupation of this island in the first place.

The British have inflicted pain after pain on the people of the North and they continue to do so with this legislation. With help from the model Bill team in Northern Ireland, I will outline some of the ways in which the proposed Bill is a breach of the Good Friday Agreement and serves only to cause further pain to the victims and survivors in the North. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill would end all ongoing inquests, despite the fact these inquests are delivering results. This is not acceptable. All promised inquests deserve the chance for legal mechanisms to discover the truth. It is shocking that such processes, with a clear human rights approach that is delivering results, would be stopped. In an incredible observation, the model Bill team has queried whether part of the reason for introducing this Bill is that existing mechanisms are working too well in exposing past human rights abuses. It seems Britain is trying to protect itself from the damning findings of these inquiries.

In place of inquiries, the Bill provides for direct Government control over the establishment and operation of all proposed mechanisms, and the delegated powers memorandum makes explicit the intention to override devolved institutions in order to achieve the delivery of this policy. It is clear the British Government is looking for full and complete control over the narrative of what happened in the North because it does not like light being shed on the terrible crimes committed in its name.

The proposals in the Bill for oral history and academic research on the conflict appear to be designed to provide legal and political cover rather than an accurate account of events. This is extremely concerning and incompatible with academic ethics, independence, rigour and integrity. We cannot let the narrative of Irish history be controlled and determined by the British the way it has so often in the past. It is evident the British Government is egotistically more interested in its own appearance than in giving victims the information and closure they need. Let us not beat around the bush, that is the Bill's main aim.

The proposed Bill would also directly limit the ability of people in the North to challenge alleged breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights in Northern Ireland courts. This is completely unacceptable and the Minister for Foreign Affairs cannot stand by while this goes ahead. I take this opportunity to urge the Minister to do all he can to ensure this Bill does not progress any further in Westminster. Breaches of international law must be taken very seriously and it is our job to ensure the people in the North are protected from this happening.

In the time left I will speak about the protocol. It is clear the protocol, like everything else, is being used to achieve British aims and Ireland is at the crux. Everything we hear about the protocol indicates it is not a hindrance to business and that businesses will actually benefit from it. There may be some difficulties with imports from the UK but businesses will benefit in the long run. It seems businesses are happy enough with it going ahead.

The British foreign secretary, Ms Liz Truss, is quoted today on the RTÉ website as saying the protocol causes political instability, so it seems the British Government is more concerned about political instability rather than instability for business. The British, once again, are using the North as a way to further their own political ends, and that is what they intend to do. We must oppose such efforts and shine a light on them at all times. That means standing up and fighting for the protocol and against the collapsing of the Assembly over the protocol. That is vital.

The American delegation has been here and there is a relationship with the British, who are trying to influence the Americans by speaking about the protocol's value and impact on the Good Friday Agreement. The British approach to what is going on in the North must be called out and challenged. The British cannot be allowed to get away with this. As usual, they are using the North to further their own ends and political agenda. We should be trying to counter that as far as possible. We are concerned about Brexit's effects but we must keep an eye on the inquiries and the Irish language Act. We must pursue those as well. They are vital. Regardless of Brexit, they will have to be put in place as well. We must ensure they continue.

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