Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

38. To ask the Taoiseach when he will meet with the families of victims of the Glenanne gang. [13194/21]

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

As I outlined to Deputy Tóibín in the House on 7th October 2020, I would be happy to meet with the families of victims of the Glenanne Gang. Prior to being appointed Taoiseach, I met with victims and the families of victims of the Glenanne gang. What the Glenanne gang did was the worst possible manifestation of evil by any gang, perpetrated on innocent people.

However, due to restrictions related to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic an opportunity for such a meeting has not yet arisen. I hope to meet these families as soon as circumstances allow.

I have been clear that all victims and survivors of the Troubles deserve access to truth and justice. It is why it is vital that we put in place a comprehensive framework to address all cases.

The Stormont House Agreement framework is the way forward on these issues. It was agreed by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it must be implemented.

The Government is committed to working with the UK Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland to address the painful legacy of the Troubles. We will do this as agreed through the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement framework, in order to support wider societal reconciliation, build greater community confidence in policing and meet the legitimate needs of victims and survivors in Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland.

We will continue to press the British Government on the implementation of the agreed, collective, framework.

Only through a collective approach can we hope to deal with these issues comprehensively and fairly, and in a way that responds to the needs of victims and survivors, and society as a whole.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

39. To ask the Taoiseach the arrangements to have further discussions with the UK Prime Minister and members of the Northern Ireland Executive on the need to implement the New Decade, New Approach in full. [13244/21]

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

The New Decade, New Approach Agreement reached in January 2020 was a very significant shared achievement, for the British and Irish governments and for the political parties in Northern Ireland in restoring the power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement to operation.

The New Decade New Approach agreement sets out priorities on health, education, infrastructure, welfare, language and culture and aims to address the issues that are of importance to the people in Northern Ireland.

For our part, the Government published a series of commitments, at the time of NDNA, focused on working with the Executive through the North South Ministerial Council to deliver projects that benefit people across the island, including greater connectivity between North and South; investing in the North West region and in border communities; supporting the Irish language in Northern Ireland; and supporting reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process.

The second plenary of the North South Ministerial Council took place on 18 December, and progress is underway with respect to these commitments that come under its remit – we look forward to this progress being continued and seeing these commitments implemented in full.

In January, the first Implementation Review meeting of the NDNA took place virtually, attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of State, the First and deputy First Ministers and the leaders of the parties in the Executive. All the participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to the ongoing implementation of the New Decade, New Approach agreement.

The Government continues to work with the UK Government, with the Northern Ireland Executive and through the North South Ministerial Council to ensure that the New Decade, New Approach agreement is implemented in full.