Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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623. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he had discussions with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, regarding the serious issues concerning collusion outlined in a publication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6129/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Cases where there is alleged collusion, such as those discussed in the aforementioned publication, must be adequately addressed if we are to achieve a genuinely reconciled society. Successive Irish Governments, in our ongoing bilateral relations with the UK and through the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg, have consistently raised the issue of collusion with the British Government.

Many families, including those bereaved by incidents in which collusion has been alleged, continue to deal not only with the awful pain of losing a loved one, but with the struggle for answers decades after these traumatic events. I understand and acknowledge the frustration of families who for too long have had to contend with inadequate mechanisms for addressing their cases.

I remain convinced that the provisions of the Stormont House Agreement for dealing with the legacy of the past offer the best possible way of bringing whatever healing is possible to those affected by the Troubles, including those affected by collusion. When discussing the past in Northern Ireland and its legacy of loss and hurt, tragedies such as the attack on the Rock Bar remain central to our work. I believe these new institutions can help to deliver truth and justice to families who have waited too long. It is therefore vitally important that the new institutions have the trust and confidence of the victims and survivors and their families. Their needs will therefore remain central to the Government’s work in this area.

Earlier this year I wrote to a number of Victims’ Groups inviting them to submit their perspectives on how best to progress the establishment of the legacy institutions and to put forward their views on possible solutions to outstanding issues, including on the issue of onward disclosure and national security. Over the last two months, Senior Officials in my Department have consulted with these groups and taken note of their input on this crucial issue.

I believe that the sharing of such perspectives and ideas will make a valuable contribution to resolving all outstanding issues and securing an agreed basis among the political parties in Northern Ireland for the establishment of the new legacy institutions. I have of course also discussed the crucial need to deal with the legacy of the past with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on a number of occasions, most recently by telephone on 24 March.