Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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500. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the decision to refer the hooded men case to the European Court of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47710/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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On 2 December 2014, the Government announced its decision to request the European Court of Human Rights to revise its 1978 judgment in the case taken by Ireland against the UK. The request was filed with the Court on 4 December 2014. On the basis of new material uncovered, the Government has contended that the ill-treatment suffered by the Hooded Men should be recognised as torture. The Government’s request currently remains under consideration by the Court.

This decision was not taken lightly. The Government is acutely aware of the suffering of the individual men involved and of their families, of the significance of this case, and of the weight of these allegations. The Government is also conscious that, as EU partners and as strong bilateral partners, the UK and Ireland have worked together to promote human rights in many fora.The British and Irish Governments have both worked hard to build stronger, more trusting relations in recent years and I believe that this relationship will now stand to us as we work through the serious matters raised by this new material.