Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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443. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and-or with members of the Northern Ireland Executive the proposals by the PSNI to end the Historical Enquiries Team and also substantial cuts to the police ombudsman's office; if he has made any specific proposals on the need to establish on a statutory basis a robust and comprehensive investigation process that will gain the confidence of the families of victims and their representative groups, as those families have been denied, in some instances, for many decades the basic truth about the death of loved ones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38278/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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As previously indicated to this House, the Government firmly believes that addressing the legacy of the past is central to allowing Northern Ireland to make progress towards reconciliation and a cohesive society. Given the current political impasse, the British and Irish Governments have confirmed their intention to convene talks involving all of Northern Ireland’s political parties and both Governments.

The Government believes that the issue of dealing with the past should be addressed in the talks process, regarding which I am in close contact with Secretary of State Villiers, as well as on a wide range of issues relating to Northern Ireland.

The Government continues to support the work of the PSNI in investigating the past and the work of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland, Dr. Michael Maguire. The PSNI’s proposal to effectively close the Historical Enquiries Team and the reduction in funding to the Police Ombudsman’s Office arises in the context of a difficult financial and political situation in Northern Ireland. However I am concerned about the potential impact of this decision on families who have already suffered so much as a result of the conflict. The Government has consistently advocated that the rights of those affected by the conflict must be upheld and we will continue to do so.

The Government remains fully committed, as co-guarantors of the Agreements, to supporting further progress towards reconciliation. Achieving a fair and balanced solution to dealing with the past is not easy, touching as it does so many of the unresolved issues in the conflict.

Notwithstanding these challenges, I am confident that a fair and balanced solution can be achieved. I will remain in close contact with Secretary of State Villiers, with Minister of Justice Ford, and with the Northern Ireland Parties on this matter.