Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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428. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he will take in view of the plans by the UK Government to give an amnesty to British soldiers accused of crimes during the troubles in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26288/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The position of the Government with respect to dealing with the legacy of the Troubles has been clear and consistent. 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 should be implemented. 

Where the British Government are proposing significant changes to that framework, we have made clear that these must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive. 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.

It is the consistent position of the Government that there should be effective investigations into all Troubles-related deaths, regardless of the perpetrator. The rule of law and the protections afforded by the European Convention on Human Rights must apply equally to everyone and must be upheld, and this principle is at the core of the Stormont House framework.

As the Stormont House Agreement framework does, there is a need to take a comprehensive view of how to achieve progress and reconciliation for society as a whole, but the needs of victims and families cannot be sidelined. They need to be at the heart of the process. 

The Government has engaged regularly on legacy issues with the British Government, including since the UK Written Ministerial Statement on Legacy of March 2020. In every engagement, we have urged them to progress the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement framework. When I met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland earlier this month, I strongly advised against any unilateral action on these sensitive issues.  

We have made clear that we are ready to engage and work with the British Government and the parties in relation to any concerns around the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement, but have made equally clear at every point that this must be a collective process.