Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Legacy Discussions

Wednesday 15 January 2025 · 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 Secretary of State acknowledges meeting with the Brown family and Alan Black and confirms his commitment to a full investigation into Sean Brown's murder.
  • The Secretary of State emphasizes the importance of enabling families who have suffered to find answers and facilitating the process of reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledges the report on compensation payments to individuals like Gerry Adams and confirms that work will continue to find a lawful way to address the issue.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Claire Hanna Social Democratic & Labour Party Belfast South and Mid Down
Northern Ireland
Context

The SDLP member is concerned about the ongoing process of reforming the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, particularly in light of recent events such as the court case involving Sean Brown's family and the anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre.

Question

What progress has been made on reforming the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery? The MP references Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney’s description of Sean Brown, the day before his family is forced back to court, and the upcoming anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre. She asks if the Secretary of State will commit to removing the NIO veto under the guise of national security and ensuring root-and-branch reform of ICRIR with a focus on exposing collusive behavior.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

The Secretary of State acknowledges meeting with the Brown family and Alan Black. He states that he is committed to a full investigation into Sean Brown's murder but cannot comment further due to ongoing legal proceedings. He confirms his commitment to fundamental reform of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not commit specifically to removing the NIO veto or exposing collusive behavior.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 David Smith Lab North Northumberland
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP is concerned about the focus of discussions around Northern Ireland's legacy, specifically that cross-community reconciliation may be treated as secondary to information recovery.

Question

What discussions has the Secretary of State had with stakeholder groups on Northern Ireland's legacy? The MP asks how his right hon. Friend will ensure that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery works with key stakeholders to foster cross-community reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

The Secretary of State acknowledges the importance of enabling families who have suffered to find answers, which is a fundamental part of facilitating the process of reconciliation in Northern Ireland. He emphasizes that both aspects need to be worked on.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While acknowledging the importance of cross-community reconciliation, the Secretary of State did not provide specific information about discussions with stakeholders.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Julian Smith Con Skipton and Ripon
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP references a Policy Exchange report that raises concerns about the repeal of sections 46 and 47 of the Northern Ireland Troubles Act, which would block compensation payments to terrorists.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree with the need to block compensation payments to individuals like Gerry Adams as per previous cross-party positions? The MP urges him to return to the position that such payments should be blocked.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

The Secretary of State acknowledges seeing the report and states that the approach in the legacy Act has been found unlawful. He confirms that work will continue to find a lawful way to address the issue identified by the right hon. Gentleman.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While acknowledging the need for legal compliance, the Secretary of State did not commit explicitly to blocking compensation payments.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of recent events and political stances on the process of reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that the job of the commission is made more difficult by reprehensible incidents such as Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill attending a commemoration for IRA terrorists? The MP raises concerns about the possibility of compensation payments to individuals like Gerry Adams.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

The Secretary of State acknowledges the complexity of the process but welcomes the fact that Michelle O’Neill attended Remembrance Sunday commemorations. He emphasizes that people will express their views about past stances taken.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While acknowledging the complexity, the Secretary of State did not provide a clear stance on compensation to terrorists or how incidents impact reconciliation efforts.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP references previous government support for amendments to the legacy Act that ruled out compensation to individuals like Gerry Adams but questions why the current government has changed its stance.

Question

Why have the Government now changed their position regarding amendments made in another place which ruled out compensation payments to people such as Gerry Adams? The MP corrects the Secretary of State’s earlier statement and suggests that Parliament could provide a legal basis for such rulings through the Carltona doctrine.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

The Secretary of State acknowledges that courts have found certain clauses unlawful. He emphasizes that previous governments enabled terrorists to get immunity and denied civil claims, including against terrorists. He confirms the government's commitment to find a lawful means of addressing the issue identified.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While acknowledging legal challenges, the Secretary of State did not commit explicitly to preventing compensation payments or revisiting previous stances.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email