Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the proposals put forward by the British Government concerning a Troubles-related amnesty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46840/21]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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67. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will continue to request that the UK Government would not provide an amnesty to persons responsible for killings and other atrocities in Ireland related to the constitutional question of Northern Ireland. [44166/21]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the proposals put forward by the British Government concerning a Troubles-related amnesty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46781/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 67 and 70 together.

It has been the consistent position of the Government that the Stormont House Agreement provides a balanced and comprehensive framework, to address the painful legacy of the Troubles based on the principles of truth, justice, rule of law and reconciliation. Progress on its implementation is crucial, for families and victims and for society as a whole. It was agreed in 2014 by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it should be implemented.

The proposals published by the British Government on 14 July for a ‘Statute of Limitations’, ending criminal investigations and prosecutions relating to Troubles-related incidents, as well as inquests and civil litigation, have caused significant upset, shock and concern. They represent a very radical departure from the Stormont House Agreement and we cannot accept them.

Where the British Government propose significant changes to the Stormont House framework, 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, survivors and society.

Following a meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 24 June, we agreed to begin an intensive process of engagement with the British Government and the Northern Ireland parties to find an agreed way forward, with discussions beginning in July. Importantly, this process has engaged fully with victims’ representatives. The intention is to find an agreed way forward that will allow implementing legislation to be introduced in both the UK and Ireland by the end of this Autumn.

It is the 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.

We have strongly communicated our position on this issue to the British Government and will continue to do so, and to caution in the clearest terms against any unilateral action. The Government will continue to engage and work with the British Government and the parties represented on the Northern Ireland Executive on this very important issue in the period immediately ahead.