Brendan Smith urges progress on legacy framework and bomb inquiries
Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach about progress in enacting the Irish-British joint legacy framework and pressed that victims must be central to any legislation. He also raised the Belturbet bombing (December 1972) and the Dublin Monaghan bombings (1974), urging continued UK cooperation on comprehensive investigations.
The joint legacy framework was published jointly by the Irish and British Governments in early September. The British Government published a bill amending the 2023 legacy act on 14 October and the second reading took place in the House of Commons on 18 November, which the Taoiseach said demonstrates speed and seriousness.
The Taoiseach noted recent contacts at ministerial level: Minister McEntee and the UK Secretary of State, Hilary Ben, discussed the legacy framework in an introductory call, and Tornishta and Minister Callaghan raised it at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 17 November. The Taoiseach said enabling reciprocal cooperation between the two jurisdictions is at the heart of the framework.
The Taoiseach reported that the Minister for Justice, Jim McAllen, is hopeful the general scheme of a domestic bill will be published in April or May next year, but added that domestic legislation can proceed only once the UK legislation is enacted. The publication and passage of the UK bill remain key milestones to enable reciprocal arrangements.
The Taoiseach emphasised that the framework provides a pathway to truth and accountability and said victims must be central. The Garda Commissioner committed to establishing a dedicated unit by year-end as a central point of contact for troubles-related investigations undertaken by Angorda Chicana, and Angorda Chicana has committed, where possible, to answer family questions and provide reports.
Brendan Smith raised the Belturbet bombing and the Dublin Monaghan bombings and asked whether those cases will remain on the agenda in UK-Irish discussions. The Taoiseach said the Denton report may shed light on Dublin Monaghan and noted it relates to the Glen Ann gang and the atrocities they perpetrated, but that the outcome must be awaited.
Legislative progress
The joint legacy framework was published jointly by the Irish and British Governments in early September. The British Government published a bill amending the 2023 legacy act on 14 October and the second reading took place in the House of Commons on 18 November, which the Taoiseach said demonstrates speed and seriousness.
Government discussions and officials involved
The Taoiseach noted recent contacts at ministerial level: Minister McEntee and the UK Secretary of State, Hilary Ben, discussed the legacy framework in an introductory call, and Tornishta and Minister Callaghan raised it at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 17 November. The Taoiseach said enabling reciprocal cooperation between the two jurisdictions is at the heart of the framework.
Timelines and next steps
The Taoiseach reported that the Minister for Justice, Jim McAllen, is hopeful the general scheme of a domestic bill will be published in April or May next year, but added that domestic legislation can proceed only once the UK legislation is enacted. The publication and passage of the UK bill remain key milestones to enable reciprocal arrangements.
Support for victims and investigative arrangements
The Taoiseach emphasised that the framework provides a pathway to truth and accountability and said victims must be central. The Garda Commissioner committed to establishing a dedicated unit by year-end as a central point of contact for troubles-related investigations undertaken by Angorda Chicana, and Angorda Chicana has committed, where possible, to answer family questions and provide reports.
Specific legacy cases highlighted
Brendan Smith raised the Belturbet bombing and the Dublin Monaghan bombings and asked whether those cases will remain on the agenda in UK-Irish discussions. The Taoiseach said the Denton report may shed light on Dublin Monaghan and noted it relates to the Glen Ann gang and the atrocities they perpetrated, but that the outcome must be awaited.
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Transcript
Taoiseach, as you are aware there was a general welcome for the legacy framework that was published jointly by the Irish British Governments in early September. You might let us know what progress is being made in bringing forward the necessary legislation to enact that framework and ensure that all of these issues are dealt with victims being centre of the framework and of the modus operandi of dealing with these legacy issues. Also one other thing Taoiseach I've consistently raised is the Belturbet bombing of December 1972 and also the Dublin Monaghan bombings of 1974. Again the British Government have not cooperated to the extent necessary to ensure comprehensive investigation into the Dublin Monaghan bombings and you might let us know if that will continue to be on the agenda in all discussions at government level with your British counterparts. Deputy Brendan Smith was first up and in respect of the legacy in particular the measures announced in the joint framework published in September does provide a pathway to truth and accountability. That is why I went to London, by the way, to meet Clare Starmer, it was one of those trips, but I take it people accept we have to go to London every now and again to meet the Prime Minister. But it was to make sure we got the legacy bid over the line because I think it is an important piece of legislation that is certainly far superior to the previous legacy act of the last government. The British Government published a bill amending the 2023 legacy act on the 14th of October. That is the progress we were asking for. The second reading of that bill took place in the House of Commons on the 18th of November. We believe that is to be fair, that represents speed and I think it demonstrates the seriousness in which they are approaching this essential work. The key test for us, of course, will be that it does faithfully reflect what is in the joint framework. Minister McEntee and the UK Secretary of State, Hilary Ben, discussed the legacy framework in their introductory call last week. The Tornishta and Minister Callaghan had also discussed this with the Secretary of State, Ben, at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, which took place on the 17th of November. Because we, too, have responsibilities in this jurisdiction. And while we can only legislate once the UK legislation is enacted, Minister for Justice Jim McAllen has said that he is hopeful that the general scheme of the bill will be published in April or May of next year. And enabling reciprocal cooperation between the two jurisdictions is absolutely at the heart of the joint framework on legacy. The Garda Commissioner also is committed to the establishment by the end of this year of a dedicated unit as a central point of contact in relation to troubles-related investigations undertaken by Angorda Chicana. That is also in the joint framework. And also Angorda Chicana has also committed, where possible, to answer questions that a family may have in relation to the investigation of a troubles-related incident and provide a report to the family. Could I also say that in respect of Bell Turbott and Dublin Monaghan, the publication of Denton, the Denton report may very well shed light in respect of Dublin Monaghan. We have to await the outcome of that. I know it is into the Glen Ann gang and the atrocities that they perpetrated. But that will be important. And I do know that you have been a strong advocate for Bell Turbott and Dublin Monaghan. Deputy Mayor