Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the contributions and support of Senators. I particularly welcome the support of the Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin parties and of others in the House. In response to Senator Ó Donnghaile, I acknowledge that Senators are frustrated that the all-party Oireachtas motions which have called directly on the British Government to allow access by an international independent judicial figure to all original documents in its possession relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings have not yet been responded to. I share that frustration. I do not believe that we can allow this to cause procrastination on the part of the Irish Government. The needs of victims, families and communities cannot be allowed to become a negotiating position.

As I mentioned earlier, this legislation is a demonstration of our conclusion that there is an urgent requirement for initiative and progress, as Senator Conway has said, in addressing the needs of victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland and their surviving family members. It is time for action and leadership that will demonstrate to all other actors that it is possible to make progress. I am sure that every Senator here shares this view. To that end, I welcome that the Northern Ireland Department of Justice was in a position to announce earlier this year that necessary funding for reform of the system of legacy inquests is in place for the budgetary year of 2019 to 2020. These legacy inquests will benefit from this legislation. I acknowledge the engagement by the Secretary of State, Karen Bradley, to see that that was achieved. It was important to demonstrate to victims' families that steps forward can be made on the legacy cases. I believe it creates a dynamic for moving ahead with the broader Stormont House framework.

Sustained leadership is now required in Northern Ireland. That leadership was shown in 2014 when the Stormont House Agreement was reached. The parties in Northern Ireland need to show that same courageous leadership now to get the Executive and the Assembly back in place and working to the benefit of all people in Northern Ireland. We in the Government are determined to play our part in ensuring that the Stormont House legacy bodies are established in a way that will meet the legitimate needs and expectations of all victims and survivors. I am pleased that the all-party talks are continuing in Northern Ireland. I wish to acknowledge the leadership role of my colleague, the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Coveney. I am hopeful that the current round of talks will deliver a successful outcome leading to the re-establishment of the power-sharing institutions in Stormont. Dealing effectively with the legacy of the past will be one way to honour the memory of all those killed and injured in the dark days of the Troubles.

This Bill will provide further assistance from the Irish authorities within the legacy framework. It will be of benefit to victims and survivors and to society as a whole. Some 21 years following the Good Friday Agreement it is important that we acknowledge what has been achieved in Northern Ireland and that we renew our commitment to the full promise and spirit of the Agreement. It is important that we acknowledge the day on which are passing this legislation in the Seanad. It is 12 July, a day that resonates strongly across the island of Ireland and in particular in Northern Ireland. It is important that we renew our commitment to the full spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and that we challenge ourselves to take up the crucial work of reconciliation throughout the island of Ireland.