Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

One of the very few occasions in my long service here where I attended a meeting with a viewpoint that was supported by every political party of the island of Ireland was at a meeting in Belfast City Hall during which the legacy Bill was opposed. I have never signed a document that was signed by every shade of opinion, nationalist, republican and unionist, North and South, in opposition to this Bill. The Tánaiste obviously warmly welcomed the decision of the Council of Europe and its Council of Ministers. It is the fourth iteration of its concerns. The proposals the British Government made are not compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.

In the improved relationship with Britain, does the Tánaiste feel there is a real prospect now of moving it away from the enactment of this legislation? I am interested in hearing the Tánaiste's opinion on that. Is it a situation where the unthinkable might happen where the United Kingdom, one of the founding members of the European Convention on Human Rights, might resile from that convention?

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