The UK government calls on Ireland to formally express its regret over Dublin City’s decision to take legal action over the Troubles Act, and to clarify its track record on tackling heritage issues. asked to do so.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has written to Irish Foreign Secretary Michael Martin questioning the Irish government’s move to challenge the UK’s controversial inheritance laws at the European Court of Human Rights.
The British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, published the letter this evening.
In it, Mr Heaton-Harris again asked Mr Martin to list the number of prosecutions brought in Ireland since 1998 in connection with the Troubles.
Recently passed UK legislation includes limited immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offenses for those cooperating with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).
The Northern Ireland Affairs (Inheritance and Settlement) Act 2023 also halts future civil proceedings and estate investigations.
The UK government’s legislation is opposed by many victims’ groups in Northern Ireland and all major political parties in Stormont.
Announcing the interstate action in December, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the government had “no choice” but to legally challenge the UK government over the legacy law.
He said there was a “strong” legal recommendation that the English Heritage Act breached the UN Human Rights Convention.
Mr Martin said he reluctantly filed the lawsuit after spending time trying to change the UK government’s mind.
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) confirmed to the PA news agency that a letter had been issued formally expressing “grave regret” over the interstate incident.
“In the letter, the Secretary of State reiterates his call on the Irish Government to reveal the number of criminal prosecutions brought in Ireland since 1998 in relation to Troubles-related cases, and urges the Irish Government to respond to questions about its record. We are calling more broadly to answer “addressing legacy issues in their own jurisdictions,” the NIO said in a statement.
The letter criticized the timing of Ireland’s decision, saying it was a “sensitive time” in Northern Ireland amid efforts to restore power-sharing at Stormont.
The NIO added: ‘This decision was taken before the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, chaired by Sir Declan Morgan, was fully established and able to demonstrate the UK’s ability to meet its international obligations. It is also something that was taught to me,” he added.
“The UK government has so far implemented this legislation without any engagement with ICRIR to better understand how it intends to serve victims and survivors. I express my particular regret that this course of action has been taken.”