Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

43. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on moves by the British Government to halt prosecutions of British soldiers responsible for the deaths of civilians in Northern Ireland; the position of the Irish Government with regard to establishing the truth in relation to the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972 and the Ballymurphy Massacre in 1971; if the Government is interested in considering any new evidence in relation to Bloody Sunday and claims to the effect that this was a pro-active counter insurgency operation by British military forces as outlined in recent newspaper articles and in a new book to be published in October 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46870/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. 

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 do not accept them as the basis of a way forward.

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.

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. With respect to Bloody Sunday and Ballymurphy, officials in my Department have remained in ongoing contact with the families who have lost their loved ones in both cases, who have campaigned with such dignity and tirelessness for truth and justice for their loved ones, and we continue to offer our support.