Brendan Smith addresses the establishment of annual UK-Ireland Summits and urges that legacy issues stemming from the Troubles receive priority in all Irish-British discussions. He highlights unresolved murders in his constituency, including the Belturbet bombing that killed Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley, and the Monaghan bombing in 1974 where 34 people died.
Summits and cooperation
Brendan Smith welcomes the potential of annual UK-Ireland Summits to strengthen bilateral relationships and to intensify collaboration in trade, business, technology, investment, energy and the environment. He says these meetings can deepen cross-border cooperation if paired with full use of institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement.
Good Friday Agreement institutions
Deputy Smith stresses that alongside summits the institutions created by the Good Friday Agreement must be maximised across jurisdictions. He argues government must ensure these structures are used to their fullest to support reconciliation and practical cooperation.
Local legacy cases
Smith places urgent emphasis on legacy issues, citing unresolved killings in his own constituency. He names Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley, killed in Belturbet on 28 December 1972, and the Monaghan bombing of 17 May 1974 where 34 people were killed and 300 were seriously injured, noting families have waited decades for progress.
Next steps and political context
Smith calls for legacy matters to be a top priority in talks between Dublin and London, noting the need for UK legislation to be implemented and for clarity. He urges continued pursuit of investigation and justice for victims and families.
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I welcome the establishment of annual UK-Ireland Summits and these have the potential to strengthen further bilateral relationships and intensify collaboration in areas such as trade, business, technology, investment, energy and environment. Alongside these annual summits, government must also ensure that the potential of the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement across our jurisdictions are maximised to the best possible extent. As well as that important work, legacy issues must get priority attention in all Irish-British discussions. I refer again to the heinous crimes and loss of life inflicted on communities in my own constituency, crimes for which nobody has been brought to justice. Taoiseach, I instance again the murder of two young teenagers in my own home area, Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley, killed in the bombing in Belturbine on 28 December 1972 and the dreadful loss of life in Monaghan in Dublin on 17 May 1974 where 34 innocent people, including an unborn child, were killed and 300 seriously injured. Decade after decade has passed and families continue to grieve and little if any progress with investigations into these murders. These must be addressed. Thank you. Deputy Smith, I want to say that legacy issues remain a very top priority because particularly the new Prime Minister coming in, the legislation is in the UK, they need to implement it and we will pursue one in Dublin, although Denton, we're waiting for Denton to perhaps bring more clarity to that and Deputy Moira Cool.
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