Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 20: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed with the British Prime Minister the work of the historical enquiries team in the Six Counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25481/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government consistently raises with the British Government ongoing issues which are the legacy of the Troubles.

As the Deputy is aware, matters arising from the past are being addressed through a variety of mechanisms, including the Weston Park Inquiries, the ongoing work of the Historical Enquiries Team, the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the work of the Victims Commission.

Since its establishment by the Chief Constable in 2005, my Department has maintained contact with the Historical Enquiries Team. My officials also liaise with families and NGOs with which the HET are interacting, and have taken forward their concerns in contacts with the British side.

The wider question of the effectiveness and coherence of approaches to dealing with the past is among the issues being considered by the Consultative Group on the Past, which is co-chaired by Archbishop Robin Eames and Denis Bradley. The Government welcomed the establishment of the Consultative Group and has remained in close contact with it.

I hope that various mechanisms for dealing with the past can help bring closure to victims and survivors, and hopefully underpin community confidence in the wider process.