Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On the 26 April 2023, the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland published a Statutory Report relating to the death of Patrick Kelly. The publication of this report was undoubtedly an important and emotional moment for the Kelly family. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the Kelly family, who have advocated on this case with passion and dignity for almost five decades.

The Ombudsman’s findings detailed a series of "significant" investigative failings in relation to the original police investigation. I understand that, since the publication of report of the Police Ombudsman, the Kelly family requested that a new coroner's inquest into the death be carried out but that the Attorney General of Northern Ireland has declined this request and that the family are considering seeking a judicial review of that decision.

Legacy cases such as that of Patrick Kelly may have happened some time ago, but, they have an ongoing impact on families, communities and the important work of reconciliation. This case once again underlines the vital importance of processes and mechanisms to deliver truth and justice remaining open. Despite the passing of time, fresh coroner's inquests, investigations by the Police Ombudsman and civil cases have provided pathways for truth and justice for families. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Bill currently before Westminster would quickly close off these avenues.

This is why the Government has consistently opposed UK’s Legacy Bill since its introduction at Westminster, in May 2022, it is our view that the UK Bill is not fit for purpose. I had my most recent exchange regarding the UK Legacy Bill and related issues with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 16 May in Dublin. As I have on other occasions, I reiterated to the Secretary of State the Irish Government’s opposition to this Bill and urged that the consideration of the Bill be paused.

I made clear my strong view that this Bill, if implemented as it stands, would not be compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and would damage reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland. The Government has consistently maintained that any way forward on legacy must be consistent with human rights standards, with victims at its centre.