Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

99. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposed timescale for the implementation of the Legacy Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54529/25]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

100. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the legislative measures that will be introduced in respect of the implementation of the Legacy Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54530/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.

The Joint Framework I announced on 19 September alongside Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, sets out a comprehensive package aimed at providing truth and accountability for victims and families who lost loved ones during the Troubles. It represents a clear break with the 2023 UK Legacy Act, which was opposed by all political parties, victims and survivors groups, and wider civil society in Northern Ireland. The Framework is a welcome return to partnership by the two Governments on Northern Ireland, working as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement.Both Governments’ respective commitments should now be faithfully implemented in a timely fashion.

The Framework is underpinned by a commitment to reciprocal cooperation and places obligations on this Government. It commits the relevant Irish authorities to cooperating with the Legacy Commission. This includes an undertaking by the Government to enable cooperation by relevant authorities in this jurisdiction with the Legacy Commission once established, and to legislate, if that is required to make that possible. The detail and timeline for the enactment of any legislation will be dependent on consideration of the legislation to be brought forward by the UK Government to reform the Legacy Act. I expect the UK legislation to be brought forward in the near future.

A dedicated unit within An Garda Síochána will be established by the end of the year as a single point of contact for cross-border cooperation on Troubles-related cases and as a central point of contact and coordination for victims and families in relation to Troubles-related investigations undertaken by An Garda Síochána. Its full operation will also be dependent on the progress of the legislation reforming the Legacy Commission and that body becoming fully operational.

The Government is committed to the establishment of the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR), by way of international agreement with the United Kingdom, in line with our commitments under the Stormont House Agreement. Officials from both Governments are working together to finalise revisions to the 2015 International Agreement underpinning the establishment of the ICIR to take into account of the Joint Legacy Framework.

The Joint Framework lays the ground for a profound transformation. Once faithfully legislated for and implemented, it will fundamentally reform legacy processes, bodies, and outcomes.