Assurances have been given to the Irish Government by London that any changes to Troubles legislation will deliver “above all” for victims and their families, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said.
Helen McEntee expressed her disappointment at the length of time it is taking to progress the UK government Bill, introduced last year to replace the controversial Legacy Act, as it has yet to make it to committee stage at Westminster.
She was speaking on Thursday following the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) at Hillsborough Castle, Belfast. The meeting took place seven months after the two governments agreed a joint framework on how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.
Addressing reporters, McEntee said Dublin is “moving forward at pace” in relation to its legacy commitments. Discussions between the two sides were “warm and constructive”, she added.
READ MORE
Northern Secretary Hilary Benn gave a “very clear commitment” about the legislation during the meeting, reporters were told.
Last week, it emerged that a “substantial package” of amendments at Westminster would be introduced to the UK Bill to “safeguard” British army veterans.
On Thursday, McEntee insisted she has was “absolutely assured” of Benn’s commitment to progressing the Bill as “we have shared priorities”.
“That is, implementation and delivery above all for victims and their families. That’s what all communities, that’s what all victims deserve,” she said.
A timeline was given by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan for the drafting of Irish legacy legislation, with “late May or early June” the target. He said, however, that any Irish legislation would be “dependent” on the UK government passing its own laws.
[ NI legacy Bill to be delayed by amendments to ‘safeguard’ British army veteransOpens in new window ]
O’Callaghan said he hoped the UK legislative process on legacy could be “expedited”.
“I will be going before Government seeking approval for the drafting of a general Legacy Bill that will be able to deal and engage with the legacy commission that is going to be put in place in the United Kingdom.
“I hope to see that legislation enacted properly thereafter.”
Asked if the UK government was struggling with legacy, Benn said it was a “complex” and “difficult” issue.
“We have a duty and a responsibility to make sure that those who serve the state to keep the people of Northern Ireland safe are properly treated during the legacy process,” he said.
Benn pledged that “none” of the amendments introduced to the UK Bill will affect the commitments made to the framework deal agreed with the Irish Government last September.
Plans for the Irish Government’s Omagh bombing inquiry Bill were also discussed at the conference. The Bill could be enacted into law by the end of next month, O’Callaghan told reporters. The International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026 would allow for current or former Garda members, members of the Irish Army, the Civil Service or Government to engage with the inquiry into the 1998 atrocity in the Co Tyrone town.
To date, more than 26,000 pages of information had been provided to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry by the Irish Government through a memorandum of understanding, McEntee confirmed.
