Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a requirement for any process dealing with the past to be credible and to be effective. Victims must be at the centre. The current UK proposal lacks that credibility and runs the risk of being more perpetrator-focused than victim-focused. The Government is using all avenues to try to effect change to the UK Bill. My Department raised the legacy Bill at the United Nations Human Rights Council earlier this month, which I think is an indication of how concerned we are in terms of the direction of travel. We have also drawn particular focus on this issue at the Council of Europe. The decision by Committee of Ministers' Deputies in September, reflecting the views of member states, noted concerns about the lack of formal consultation and compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights.The committee urged the UK to reconsider the unconditional immunity scheme, which is the essential problem with this approach. My focus on the human rights aspects arises from the fundamental importance of human rights to the settlement reached in Northern Ireland and in the Good Friday Agreement.

Among other things, what is proposed in the UK Bill could amount to immunity for gross violations of human rights and a low bar to achieving immunity. I remain open to engaging and considering options, but I will remain guided by fundamental human rights principles and the needs of victims and their families. The UK Bill does not meet either of those tests at the moment. We will work hard to continue to try to engage with the Northern Ireland Office and the Secretary of State and between the Taoiseach’s office and the Prime Minister’s office, where there have been conversations on this issue. I hope the British Government will see sense and engage with us. We will be constructive in trying to find solutions, compromises and middle ground positions, where appropriate, should the opportunity arise, and I hope it will.