Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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207. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions the Government will take to ensure that justice is secured for the families of the Bloody Sunday victims by making Soldier F and Soldier B stand trial in view of the announcement that the British public prosecution service will no longer prosecute Soldier F and Soldier B in respect to alleged murders they carried out on Bloody Sunday 1972; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36952/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the decision taken by the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland not to proceed with the prosecution of 'Soldier F' in relation to charges of murder and attempted murder in Derry on Bloody Sunday (30 January 1972), as well as the decision not to prosecute 'Soldier B' in connection with the fatal shooting of Daniel Hegarty also in Derry in 1972.

I know that this is deeply upsetting for all the families involved who have spent so many years in pursuit of justice for their loved ones and our thoughts are with all of them. While it is important that nothing is said or done that could be seen to prejudice ongoing due legal process, it is vital that the rationale for these decisions is clearly communicated.

All victims’ families must have access to an effective investigation and to a process of justice in accordance with the law and regardless of the perpetrator. Officials from my Department are keeping in contact with the families at this time on behalf of the Government.

It is essential that we make progress in addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. Our position is that the Stormont House Agreement, which was agreed by the two Governments and political parties, provides the framework to address the legacy of the Troubles. Where there are genuine concerns regarding its implementation, or proposals to further strengthen it in different areas, we are ready to engage together with the parties and the British Government to find a collective way forward. Crucially, victims and survivors must be at the heart of this process.

At the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 24 June last, we agreed with the British Government that we would begin a process of intensive engagement. Secretary of State Brandon Lewis and I issued a joint invitation and framework paper to party leaders last week, inviting them to begin this process. The first meeting at working group level has already taken place, and meetings are scheduled to continue throughout the period ahead. As outlined in the framework document issued to party leaders last week, our objective is to find an agreed way forward that will allow implementing legislation to be introduced in both this jurisdiction and the UK, by the end of this autumn.