Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Troubles: Legacy and Reconciliation

Wednesday 28 February 2024 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are supporting the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery to deliver effectively for victims and families.
  • The Government remain committed to implementing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
  • The judgment will take time to consider carefully, and the Government are committed to delivering the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Karin Smyth Lab Bristol South
Northern Ireland
Context

The question arises from concerns about the implementation of the Northern Ireland Troubles Act, which aims to address legacy issues from the conflict.

Question

What progress has been made on implementing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The Government are supporting the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery in delivering effectively for victims and families. The commission was established in December last year, and its doors will open on 1 May.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps towards implementation were not detailed.

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Q2 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Northern Ireland
Context

The High Court ruled this morning regarding the legitimacy of seeking justice for crimes committed during the troubles.

Question

Does the Secretary of State still think that after 1 May, citizens in Northern Ireland should be denied the right to seek justice through civil cases and inquests?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The judgment will take time to consider carefully. We remain committed to implementing the legacy Act.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific implications of the ruling were not addressed.

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Q3 Karin Smyth Lab Bristol South
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland
Context

Concerns exist about the 1 May deadline imposed by the Government, impacting the ability of inquests to conclude.

Question

What steps are being taken to ensure that inquests can conclude by the self-imposed deadline?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The Government continue to assist Northern Ireland courts on legacy matters. The Act allows a coroner to request a review of a death by the independent commission if an inquest has not concluded via the coronial process by 1 May.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures facilitating deadlines were not detailed.

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Q4 Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South
Northern Ireland
Context

The High Court found that the Act's immunity provisions are not compliant with articles 2 and 3 of the European convention.

Question

What do Ministers intend to do about the judgment, given its implications for the Act?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

This is a complex case that will likely head to higher courts. We remain committed to implementing the legacy Act.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Implications of the judgment were not addressed.

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Q5 Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland
Context

There is uncertainty about the impact of the High Court ruling on future actions under the Act.

Question

Will the deadline be extended to ensure inquests that would otherwise stop can continue?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The judgment will take time to consider carefully. We remain committed to implementing the legacy Act, including delivering the ICRIR.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific consideration of deadline extension was not addressed.

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