The Tánaiste Micheál Martin has welcomed a statement from Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn that provided further detail on how the British Government plans to repeal and replace controversial legislation on the legacy of the Troubles.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs said that he was glad to see that the work of replacing the act was progressing.

“I have been clear since day one on the grave issues with the act as it now stands, in particular the fundamental question of its compliance with the European Convention of Human Rights and the failure to command the support of victims,” he stated.

Immunity

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, enacted last September, set up a new independent body called the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), and offered immunity from prosecution for individuals who co-operated with it.

The Irish Government lodged a legal challenge against Britain with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) earlier this year over the legislation.

The Tánaiste welcomed Benn’s commitment to establishing legacy mechanisms that commanded the confidence of communities, and of victims and survivors.

Challenge dropped

“The Secretary of State’s intention to reverse the current prohibition on new civil proceedings, and to propose measures to allow inquests previously halted to proceed, is also welcome,” he added.

The Tánaiste said that the Government would study the statement made by the British Government and continue its “close engagement” on the details of the issue.

Benn also said that the British Government had dropped a legal challenge against a court ruling that declared parts of the legislation to be unlawful.

He said that it had written to the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal to "formally abandon all its ground of appeal" against the provisions on immunity from prosecution.