Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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263. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make a statement on the recent report by the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland into the Kingsmill massacre investigation. [22484/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The murder of ten innocent workmen at Kingsmill in January 1976 is one of the most appalling atrocities of the Troubles. My thoughts are with the victims’ families and with Mr. Alan Black, the sole survivor of the attack. I would like to commend them for their unwavering courage and determination in their quest for truth and justice.

The House may recall that the Government committed to cooperating with the Kingsmill inquest, which concluded in 2024. The Government implemented the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 2019 to enable An Garda Síochána to provide information and give evidence for the purpose of the inquest. The assistance received from Irish authorities and in particular, evidence received from An Garda Síochána, was acknowledged by the inquest.

I sincerely hope that the report of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland into the police investigation, published on 30 April, provides the victims’ families with long awaited answers. It is a matter of great concern that no one has ever been held responsible for this heinous crime. I call on anyone with information relating to the attack to contact the authorities.

The experience of the Kingsmill families, like those of so many others in respect of the Troubles, must drive us to find a better way forward on legacy. We continue to work with the UK government to make every effort towards reaching a shared approach on legacy.

Our position remains that any solution must command the confidence of victims and families and be compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights. Ultimately, securing the confidence of victims, survivors, and families will remain at the heart of the work of both Governments.