According to Micheál Martin, Tánaiste, the success of the new Labour government’s plans to revoke contentious UK legacy legislation hinges on the restoration of trust among the victims of the Troubles and their relatives. The Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, and Mr. Martin explored various issues in a thorough discussion at Hillsborough Castle, with the contentious legacy legislation, enacted by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government, being a particular focus.
Acknowledging the importance of trust, Mr. Martin underscored the necessity of regaining confidence amongst the victims and their families, as the details of how these changes will be implemented are yet to be finalised.
The UK’s Conservative party passed the contentious Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 in September, despite objections from all political parties in Northern Ireland and from victims of the Troubles. The government claimed that the law, applicable to all ex-security forces and ex-paramilitaries, was a way to close the chapter on past events and would grant conditional amnesty to those accused of causing death and injury.
This move met with resistance from various victims’ groups and all Northern political parties, who argued that it would deny justice to thousands of victims and their families impacted by the Troubles in Northern Ireland over three decades. Subsequently, the Republic filed an interstate case against the UK at the European Court of Justice last December, claiming the legacy legislation’s provisions were inconsistent with the UK’s duties under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Keir Starmer’s Labour party has pledged to revoke the legislation if they come into power, expressing opposition against it. The recent exchange with Mr Benn on Thursday evening was perceived by Mr Martin as a reassurance about this matter, expressing certainty that the UK government would maintain clear communication with the government of Ireland about their plans for the legislation’s repeal.
The NI Secretary, Hilary Benn, has set a goal to forge a fresh rapport between the government of the UK and Stormont.
Agreements were reached that both sides of officials and governments would collaborate on this issue. Mr Martin indicated yesterday that the interstate case offers ways for a peaceful resolution to these problems between the two governments.
In Mr Martin’s view, the stance of the UK government on immunity issues is clear currently, and the Secretary has his eyes on other aspects such as civil cases and inquests. However, Mr Martin believes that the Secretary should be granted more time and room to present these specific suggestions.