Written answers

Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Northern Ireland Issues

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

448. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the request by the coroner in the inquest of persons (details supplied) in September 1992, and into the linked murders and attempted murders of 28 persons in Northern Ireland, for a public inquiry to be held into the killings, given that the coroner believes that the inquest is not equipped to deal with the issues involved, including the issue of collusion; if he will support the coroner's call; if he will contact the British Government in relation to the important issues involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27504/15]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the case raised by the Deputy. My thoughts are with the family concerned. I am aware also of the difficulties and frustrations faced, over a long period of time, by so many families bereaved by the conflict as they have sought to pursue truth and justice. The Irish Government continues, in our ongoing bilateral relations and through the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg, to raise with the British Government their Article 2 obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in relation to specific Troubles-related deaths. Over 3,500 people died during the Troubles. The suffering of their relatives and friends endures to this day. I understand and acknowledge the frustration of families who for too long have had to contend with inadequate mechanisms for addressing their cases. For that reason, the establishment of a new comprehensive framework for dealing with the past, as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement, remains a priority of the Government.

These institutions will include a Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) to take forward investigations into Troubles-related deaths, as well as an Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR) to enable families to seek and privately receive information about Troubles-related deaths.

In the Stormont House Agreement, it was acknowledged also that recent domestic and European judgments have demonstrated that the legacy inquest process in Northern Ireland is not providing access to a sufficiently effective investigation within an acceptable timeframe. In light of this, the NI Executive has undertaken to take appropriate steps to improve the way the legacy inquest function is conducted to comply with ECHR Article 2 requirements, which would encompass all cases in which there are allegations of collusion. The Irish Government supports the full and expeditious implementation of the Stormont House Agreement including in relation to legacy inquests.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.