Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The British Government announcement yesterday that it would introduce legislation to cover up the role in the conflict in the North, in the form of a statute of limitations, has united opinion in this country in an unprecedented manner. The Irish Government, Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the Unionist Party have all called on the British Government not to proceed with this unilateral and self-serving action. The main relatives' organisations, Relatives for Justice and Wave Trauma Centre, who campaign for justice and truth, have also called on the British Government to abandon its amnesty-based plans. There is a deep sense among relatives' organisations that the British Government has put its narrow interests ahead of their interests and, indeed, of the interests of the peace and political processes. It is protecting a small number of political and military figures from the scrutiny that would arise from a process that would help tens of thousands of people who have endured much pain for many decades.

It is infuriating to have to listen to the British Government's deceitful attempts to excuse its actions by claiming it is in the interests of those killed by British Crown forces, or loyalists acting in collusion with British forces, to deny them access to the truth and justice. It is equally infuriating, especially for relatives' organisations, to have their concerns summarily dismissed in such an off-hand manner.

The British Government did not consult anyone, other than the British military and those lobbying on its behalf, before it announced its statute of limitations decision. Its decision effectively undermines the Stormont House Agreement, an agreement that was negotiated between the Irish and British Governments, and had the support of all of the main parties in the North. As journalist Julian O'Neill said, if the British Government proceeds with its plans it will effectively close down police investigations, ombudsman investigations, prosecutions, inquests, civil actions and Operation Kenova.

It is little wonder, then, that the Relatives for Justice organisation would describe yesterday as "the single worst day for all victims during our peace process". It described the proposal as "the mother of all cover-ups". As John Finucane, MP, son of the murdered human rights lawyer, Pat Finucane, said "the British government made it clear that victims do not matter to them". As always, British interests come before everything else. It cares nothing for victims, or for truth and justice.

I welcome the clear and firm statement from the Irish Government in response to the British Government's statement. The Irish Government has thankfully made it clear that the Stormont House Agreement is the framework for making progress on legacy; that the proposals from the British Government are not the basis for dealing with legacy cases; and that the way forward is through a collective approach. It is clear that the barrier to justice for all of those impacted by the conflict lays first and foremost at the door of Westminster. It is not on this island.

I would urge the Irish Government to continue to pressure the British Government to implement the Stormont House Agreement and to pursue all avenues, including internationally, to ensure the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement.