logo
Governments will know ‘within weeks' if legacy agreement can be reached

Governments will know ‘within weeks' if legacy agreement can be reached

BreakingNews.ie24-04-2025

The Irish and British governments will know whether they can reach an agreement on Northern Ireland legacy issues 'within weeks', the Tánaiste has said.
Simon Harris said both governments are working in 'very good faith' to bring about an agreed position.
Advertisement
The Fine Gael leader made the comments following a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) in Co Down on Thursday.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn and Tánaiste Simon Harris speak to media at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Hillsborough Castle (Brian Lawless/PA)
Mr Harris was hosted by the Northern Ireland Secretary at Hillsborough Castle for a series of talks on legacy, security and political stability.
Hilary Benn and Mr Harris took part in the Anglo-Irish meeting, which focused mostly on legacy issues.
The meeting was also be attended by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Fleur Anderson MP and Ireland's Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan TD.
Advertisement
It was the first time the conference, which was established under the Good Friday Agreement, has been held in Northern Ireland since 2006.
Mr Harris told reporters that the Irish government has always had two key tests when it comes to legacy.
'Firstly, is the mechanism compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights, and secondly, does it have the support of victims and their families. They are the two principles, the two tests that we're applying in our discussions,' Mr Harris said.
'I know you, Hilary, feel very strongly in relation to that as well. We are in the middle of a negotiation and a discussion, so I don't want to go through each issue, other than to say I think a lot of progress has been made on a lot of issues. But you are right. There is a moment in time where we have to call this for many reasons, including those that Hilary has outlined.
Advertisement
'People are getting older. People are going to their grave still not knowing the truth in relation to the loss of their loved one.
Parliamentary under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Fleur Anderson, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan (Brian Lawless/PA)
'I think we will know within weeks whether it is possible to have a joint position between the two governments or not.
'I really hope it is, and we're both working in very good faith to try and bring that about. But it is now a question in my mind of within weeks.'
He said it was important for both sides to come to an agreement on what legacy mechanisms look like.
Advertisement
Describing their meeting as 'constructive', he said there were detailed discussions on the reform of the controversial Legacy Act and the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).
'I passionately believe, I know you do too, that this peace agreement, the Good Friday Agreement works best when the two governments pull in the same direction, and if at all possible, that's where we want to get to, where we could actually have a joint position in terms of a mechanism on the legacy of the past,' he added.
Mr Benn agreed that their discussions had been 'productive', adding that the governments have 'moved closer together' on an agreed position on legacy issues.
'Over the the work that's been taking place in recent months, we've moved closer together,' Mr Benn said.
Advertisement
'I think that's a very fair reflection as what has been happening and we're putting in all of this effort, the intensive discussion that our officials have been engaged in, the regular conversations that the Tanaiste and I have had is because we want to be able to find an agreement.
'Some of the issues are quite tricky – you wouldn't expect me to go into them in this press conference today – but we're putting the work in because we believe we'll be in a stronger position if we can find an agreement, and in the end, help to build confidence in arrangements that, in the end, are going to deliver the families.
'This is what it's all about. It is the families that we have to have in mind, and in particular, the many families I have met who are still searching for answers, in some cases after very many years, about what exactly happened to their loved ones. And we all have an obligation to find a mechanism that will finally give them the answers they have sought for so long.'
He said he had agreed with Mr Harris to meet again before the end of May.
Tanaiste Simon Harris (Brian Lawless/PA)
Mr O'Callaghan described the meeting as 'productive and engaging'.
'We discussed a variety of issues, the main one which was legacy, but we also discussed security cooperation,' Mr O'Callaghan added.
'I was very pleased to be able to emphasise at the meeting the agreement that has been reached between the Irish government and the chairperson of the Omagh inquiry, which I think is a substantial agreement, a memorandum of understanding that I believe is going to provide an avenue to which documentary evidence will be provided by the Irish government to the inquiry.
'As well as discussing legacy, however, I think it's also important that we concentrate and focus on the other areas where there is excellent agreement between our two governments.'
Meanwhile, Ms Anderson said an update was given on the UK Government's commitment to helping the Executive 'transform' public services.
She also said security and other areas of cooperation were discussed.
'It's been a very positive meeting,' she said.
'The recent release of £129 million from the UK Government's £235 million transformation fund has been allocated to priority areas including health, education and justice, and we're keen to see positive change implemented for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.'
The meeting follows the UK-Ireland summit in March when the two governments pledged to work closely to deliver security, investment and growth.
At the time, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the relationship between the UK and Ireland had 'reset' following a 'turbulent' post-Brexit period.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Douglas Ross convenes Education Committee from Caribbean
Douglas Ross convenes Education Committee from Caribbean

STV News

time23 minutes ago

  • STV News

Douglas Ross convenes Education Committee from Caribbean

Douglas Ross faced calls to leave a Holyrood committee after convening it from the Caribbean, with one MSP branding the situation 'farcical'. The former Scottish Conservative leader video-called into the Education Committee on Wednesday from Turks and Caicos, where it was about 4am at the time. He is in the region as part of a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association seminar following a nomination by Scottish Parliament members of the association. Ross, who arrived in the archipelago on Monday and will return on Thursday, had said beforehand he would still attend the committee. MSPs were grilling Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, children's minister Natalie Don-Innes, and higher and further education minister Graeme Dey. Willie Rennie, a member of the committee, raised concerns about Ross chairing the meeting in Edinburgh from abroad. He said: 'It is wholly inappropriate and unprofessional for Douglas Ross to even attempt to chair the Education Committee 4,000 miles away in the Caribbean. 'This is especially the case when questioning the three ministers for education on issues such as temporary contracts for teachers, school violence, the University of Dundee, the future of colleges, The Promise, additional support needs and so much more. 'These issues deserve a convener who is in the room rather than attempting to conduct affairs in the middle of the night in the Turks and Caicos islands. 'Everyone in education in Scotland deserves better than this.' PA Media Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie called for Douglas Ross to leave the Education Committee (Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA) The Liberal Democrat MSP had raised a point of order during the committee, adding he had also raised concerns before the meeting began. During the session, Rennie said his appearance from the Caribbean 'doesn't make you look good and it doesn't make this committee look good'. He had asked Ross to hand over his duties on Wednesday to the vice-convener. Ross said he was happy to hear concerns and allow deputy convener Jackie Dunbar to convene the committee. Following a brief suspension, Dunbar said the rules for conveners did not distinguish between a virtual or physical appearance at the committee, and Ross convened the rest of the meeting. PA Media SNP MSP George Adam described Douglas Ross's appearance at the committee as a 'farcical' (Scottish Parliament/PA) SNP MSP George Adam told Ross at the committee: 'I would just like to say a few words with regards to the situation of you convening this from a tropical island on the other side of the world. 'I am, for the record, not happy. I find this meeting farcical, the fact that you could even think you could do that online from the other side of the world. 'To be fair, it's the best behaved you've been in the past couple of weeks so perhaps being online suits you and not actually meeting people in person is maybe not your best way forward. 'The aggressive manner and the lack of respect you've shown to people who have come to the committee in the past have actually made this Parliament look bad. 'I want to put that on the record because we have tried on numerous occasions to talk to you, take you aside and ask you to do the right thing, but you continue with your continued behaviour and quite frankly I think it makes you look small and pathetic.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Migrants cross English Channel ahead of spending review announcement
Migrants cross English Channel ahead of spending review announcement

Glasgow Times

time27 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Migrants cross English Channel ahead of spending review announcement

Pictures show new arrivals wearing life jackets being brought to shore in a Border Force boat in Dover, Kent, on Wednesday. They are the first to make the journey to the UK so far this month after a record first five months of the year bringing the provisional total so far to 14,812 arrivals. This has also surpassed the highest total recorded for the first six months of the year, which was previously 13,489 on June 30 last year. In 2024, the number of arrivals did not reach more than 14,000 until July 9 (14,058). A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA) The arrivals come as the Chancellor will set out spending plans for the coming years, with big rises expected for the NHS, defence and schools. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was the last minister to reach a deal with the Treasury, with reports suggesting greater police spending would mean a squeeze on other areas of her department's budget. But the Home Office will also receive a £680 million cash boost for border security, according to the Sun newspaper. The paper reported Ms Cooper has gained £100 million to spend on tackling illegal migration this year and a further £580 million over the next three years for border police and surveillance, including more drones. The Government has vowed to crack down on people-smuggling and Channel crossings since coming to power in July last year. This includes by funding elite officers to increase patrols along the northern French coastline and launching a specialist intelligence unit in Dunkirk to track down people smugglers. It has also established a Border Security Command to lead strategy and its Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, currently going through Parliament, seeks to introduce new criminal offences and hand counter terror-style powers to law enforcement agencies to target smuggling gangs.

Greta Thunberg bizarrely claims she DIDN'T KNOW her ‘Freedom Flotilla' crewmates had shown support for Hamas & Hezbollah
Greta Thunberg bizarrely claims she DIDN'T KNOW her ‘Freedom Flotilla' crewmates had shown support for Hamas & Hezbollah

Scottish Sun

time34 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Greta Thunberg bizarrely claims she DIDN'T KNOW her ‘Freedom Flotilla' crewmates had shown support for Hamas & Hezbollah

GRETA Thunberg claims she didn't now her "Freedom Flotilla" crewmates had shown support for Hamas and Hezbollah. The 22-year-old activist told Swedish media she hadn't "heard about it or what this person has said". 6 Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg (C) is greeted on arrival at Stockholm-Arlanda airport Credit: AFP 6 Thunberg looks stunned as she sits on a flight to Paris Credit: Twitter/OSINTdefender 6 Thunberg with part of the crew of the ship headed to the Strip Credit: Getty Upon being asked why she didn't know about the views of the people she was on the boat with, she said: "Because I haven't had a phone." Greta was also challenged in questions from reporters on why she hadn't looked into the issue before setting off on the ship bound to Gaza. She responded: "Should I ask exactly everyone what exactly they have said about everything? "It would take some time." read more news GOOD RIDDANCE 'Deported' Greta lands in France & slams Israel for giving her a sandwich Thunberg, 22, was one of 12 passengers on board the British-flagged Madleen - a boat carrying aid destined for people in war-torn Gaza. The vessel's controversial crew includes figures who have openly supported terrorist organizations and have made inflammatory public statements. Brazilian activist Thiago Avila attended the funeral of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, calling the terrorist a "beloved" leader and a "martyr". Avila said he was "very honoured" and "very happy" to attend, and described the funeral as something that "amazed him". He wrote that Nasrallah was an "important figure" who "inspired people all over the world". Also on board was Yasemin Acar from Berlin, who reportedly danced as Iranian rockets rained down on Israel and once told a white woman at a protest: 'You're a white person, you shouldn't tell us what to do.' Greta Thunberg's Gaza 'Freedom Flotilla' boarded & seized by Israeli forces French journalist Omar Faiad, of Al-Jazeera, sparked outrage for comparing the IDF to Nazis. On X, he wrote: 'The Israeli army resembles the Nazi army,' and claimed: 'Israel is committing a new Holocaust in Gaza.' Rima Hassan, meanwhile, previously tweeted: 'Kfir, Ariel, and Shiri Bibas were killed by an Israeli attack,' despite Hamas being responsible for their abduction and deaths. She was also seen at a protest where demonstrators chanted: 'We die for jihad.' Greta was taken to dry land on Monday after Israeli authorities seized the yacht. Adalah, a legal rights group in Israel representing those on board, said Thunberg and two other activists and a journalist had agreed to be deported and leave Israel. Other activists refused deportation, were being held in detention, and their case was set to be heard by Israeli authorities. Israel accused the group who were aboard the boat of supporting Hamas terrorists who detonated Middle East mayhem by massacring 1,200 and kidnapping 251 hostages. 6 Greta Thunberg was one of the 12 people aboard the vessel 6 A photo posted on Telegram purportedly showing activists with their hands up on board the Madleen Credit: Freedom Flotilla Coalition 6 Gaza has been hammered by the IDF as it aims to wipe out Hamas Credit: Getty The activists said they were protesting the ongoing war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But Israel says such ships violate its naval blockade of Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that he had instructed the Israeli Defence Forces to screen footage of the 7 October attacks for the activists as soon as they arrive. The disturbing footage - titled "Bearing Witness" - shows innocent people being massacred and mutilated. And all the footage was taken from the Hamas terrorists' body cams as they filmed their massacre. But Greta and the other activists refused to watch the clips as soon as they were told about it, Katz told reporters. The boat was carrying a "tiny amount of aid" on board - which will be sent to Gaza, officials said. Hamas branded the interception of the yacht as a "crime of piracy". The group said in a statement that activists were on a "humanitarian mission aimed at breaking the siege on the Gaza Strip and exposing the crime of mass starvation." The flotilla's latest voyage follows a failed attempt in May, when another of its vessels was struck by two drones in international waters off Malta. The group accused Israel of being behind the attack. Despite the risks, activists aboard the Madleen attempted to enter Gaza's territorial waters on Sunday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store