Written answers

Tuesday, 17 May 2022

Department of Justice and Equality

Legislative Programme

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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613. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of Irish information retrieval legislation which was included in the 2021 autumn legislative programme and subsequently the spring legislative programme for 2022, given the UK Government’s commitment in the Queen’s speech to legislate for the independent commission on information retrieval. [24747/22]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Stormont House Agreement, concluded by the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Parties in December 2014, provides for a framework of measures to address the legacy of troubles-related violence in Northern Ireland.

The framework of measures agreed include the establishment of the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR). The ICIR is to be an independent international body with the objective of enabling families to seek and privately receive information about the troubles-related deaths of their next of kin.

Given the cross-border nature of the ICIR, in September 2015, the Government signed an International Agreement with the British Government on the establishment of the Independent Commission for Information Retrieval (ICIR). The development of proposals for legislation to establish the ICIR in this jurisdiction have been progressed, in close cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Heads of Bill are well advanced. However, ICIR will require legislation to be enacted in both jurisdictions with parallel provisions in order for it to come into effect, which is presenting a particular difficulty at the current time.

As the Deputy will be aware, the UK Government recently announced their intention to introduce a Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill which was published this afternoon. The Bill runs to almost 100 pages and is being examined but it would appear to be a significant departure from the framework of measures that were agreed at Stormont House. It does not provide for an Independent Commission for Information Retrieval as set out in the Stormont House agreement and therefore our legislation cannot be progressed based on our current understanding of today's UK legislative proposal.

This Government remains committed to the Stormont House framework as the way forward on legacy issues, and where the British Government are proposing significant changes to the 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 listens and responds to the needs of victims and survivors, and society as a whole.

The Government will continue to engage and work with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland on this very important issue.

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