Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on his engagement with the United Kingdom government in relation to its commitment to repeal and replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40309/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Developing an agreed approach on legacy which responds to the needs of victims is essential to progressing the vital work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Legacy issues, both specific cases, and the wider approach, feature in all of my engagements with my UK counterparts.

I welcome the British Government's stated intention to repeal and replace the Legacy Act. I have noted the Secretary of State’s intention to retain the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

I discussed legacy with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on his first day in office. At every engagement with him since, including at the British-Irish Association Conference on 6 September, the primary focus of our conversation has been on what "repeal and replace" means in practice and how this work can be taken forward.

In all of my engagements I have made clear that any approach needs to command the support of victims and families. Achieving this will require a robust, thorough, and ambitious process, involving root and branch reform of the ICRIR. It will only be effective if it is advanced in partnership between the two governments.

The Government is committed to working with the British Government to explore whether and how we can develop an agreed approach on this fundamentally important issue. Conversations to date have been constructive, but more work is needed. Fundamental and meaningful reform of this deeply flawed legislation must be at the heart of our efforts. As we take this work forward, the needs of victims and the obligation to ensure a framework compatible with the European Convention of Human Rights will remain central to this Government’s approach.