Latest news with #OmaghInquiry
The Independent
27-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Harris reiterates support for Omagh public inquiry in Benn meeting
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris has reiterated his Government's commitment to support the Omagh Bombing Inquiry during a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn in Dublin. The meeting, their first to be held in person, featured discussions on political stability in Northern Ireland and the UK Government's controversial Legacy Act. Mr Harris said their conversation was 'warm and constructive'. The Tanaiste said: 'We welcomed the ongoing political stability in Northern Ireland and agreed on the need for Northern Ireland's devolved institutions to ensure that they deliver for the people of this island.' He added: 'A priority for both governments in the period ahead is removing the influence of paramilitaries on society in Northern Ireland. 'We discussed the report of the Independent Reporting Commission, and our joint announcement that we will proceed with the appointment of an independent expert to carry out a short scoping and engagement exercise to assess whether there is merit in, and support for, a formal process of engagement to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment. 'We stressed our common understanding that there is no predetermined outcome to this work, that the process is in no way about providing funding to paramilitary groups, and that policing and criminal justice efforts to tackle paramilitary and organised crime of course need to be maintained in full.' The Tanaiste said there had been a 'substantive and forward‑looking exchange' on legacy issues. He said: 'I reiterated the Government's commitment to play our full part in legacy processes, including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry, and updated the Secretary of State on our engagement with the inquiry to date.' Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Irish Justice Minister said he had 'concerns' about establishing a separate inquiry into the Omagh bombing in the Republic of Ireland. However, Jim O'Callaghan said the Irish Government would co-operate with the UK inquiry. 'What happened in Omagh was horrific,' he said. 'My department is co-operating with the Omagh Inquiry. We're finalising a memorandum of understanding in respect of ensuring that any relevant evidence that we have in the South is provided to the inquiry. 'I have concerns about establishing a separate inquiry down here. There's one inquiry which has been conducted at present, the Irish Government is going to co-operate with it, we are co-operating with it. I think that's where all our focus should be.'
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Harris reiterates support for Omagh public inquiry in Benn meeting
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris has reiterated his Government's commitment to support the Omagh Bombing Inquiry during a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn in Dublin. The meeting, their first to be held in person, featured discussions on political stability in Northern Ireland and the UK Government's controversial Legacy Act. Mr Harris said their conversation was 'warm and constructive'. The Tanaiste said: 'We welcomed the ongoing political stability in Northern Ireland and agreed on the need for Northern Ireland's devolved institutions to ensure that they deliver for the people of this island.' He added: 'A priority for both governments in the period ahead is removing the influence of paramilitaries on society in Northern Ireland. 'We discussed the report of the Independent Reporting Commission, and our joint announcement that we will proceed with the appointment of an independent expert to carry out a short scoping and engagement exercise to assess whether there is merit in, and support for, a formal process of engagement to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment. 'We stressed our common understanding that there is no predetermined outcome to this work, that the process is in no way about providing funding to paramilitary groups, and that policing and criminal justice efforts to tackle paramilitary and organised crime of course need to be maintained in full.' The Tanaiste said there had been a 'substantive and forward‑looking exchange' on legacy issues. He said: 'I reiterated the Government's commitment to play our full part in legacy processes, including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry, and updated the Secretary of State on our engagement with the inquiry to date.' Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Irish Justice Minister said he had 'concerns' about establishing a separate inquiry into the Omagh bombing in the Republic of Ireland. However, Jim O'Callaghan said the Irish Government would co-operate with the UK inquiry. 'What happened in Omagh was horrific,' he said. 'My department is co-operating with the Omagh Inquiry. We're finalising a memorandum of understanding in respect of ensuring that any relevant evidence that we have in the South is provided to the inquiry. 'I have concerns about establishing a separate inquiry down here. There's one inquiry which has been conducted at present, the Irish Government is going to co-operate with it, we are co-operating with it. I think that's where all our focus should be.'
The Independent
26-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Irish deputy premier and Northern Ireland Secretary to meet in Dublin
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris is to meet Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn in Dublin on Wednesday evening. The meeting, their first to be held in person, will feature discussions on political stability in Northern Ireland, the Omagh Inquiry and the UK Government's controversial Legacy Act. Mr Harris is understood to looking to find common ground on legacy issues, underpinned by the support of those most affected and in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. They will also discuss the announcement that the two governments will appoint an independent expert to carry out a short scoping and engagement exercise to assess whether there is merit in, and support for, a formal process of engagement to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment. Their meeting comes in advance of the Ireland-UK summit in Liverpool next Thursday. Mr Harris spoke to Mr Benn by phone in January on his first full day as Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. During that call he extended an invite to Mr Benn to Dublin and said he looked forward to hosting him in the Irish capital 'at the earliest opportunity'. Mr Benn last visited Dublin in early December when he met former tanaiste Micheal Martin at the British-Irish intergovernmental conference. Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Irish Justice Minister said he had 'concerns' about establishing a separate inquiry into the Omagh bombing in the Republic of Ireland. However, Jim O'Callaghan said the Irish Government would co-operate with the UK inquiry. 'What happened in Omagh was horrific,' he said. 'My department is co-operating with the Omagh Inquiry. We're finalising a memorandum of understanding in respect of ensuring that any relevant evidence that we have in the South is provided to the inquiry. 'I have concerns about establishing a separate inquiry down here. There's one inquiry which has been conducted at present, the Irish Government is going to co-operate with it, we are co-operating with it. I think that's where all our focus should be.'
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Irish deputy premier and Northern Ireland Secretary to meet in Dublin
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris is to meet Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn in Dublin on Wednesday evening. The meeting, their first to be held in person, will feature discussions on political stability in Northern Ireland, the Omagh Inquiry and the UK Government's controversial Legacy Act. Mr Harris is understood to looking to find common ground on legacy issues, underpinned by the support of those most affected and in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. They will also discuss the announcement that the two governments will appoint an independent expert to carry out a short scoping and engagement exercise to assess whether there is merit in, and support for, a formal process of engagement to bring about paramilitary group transition to disbandment. Their meeting comes in advance of the Ireland-UK summit in Liverpool next Thursday. Mr Harris spoke to Mr Benn by phone in January on his first full day as Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. During that call he extended an invite to Mr Benn to Dublin and said he looked forward to hosting him in the Irish capital 'at the earliest opportunity'. Mr Benn last visited Dublin in early December when he met former tanaiste Micheal Martin at the British-Irish intergovernmental conference.
The Independent
28-01-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Irish Government will ‘fully' cooperate with Omagh Bomb Inquiry
The Irish Government will co-operate 'fully' with the Omagh bomb Inquiry, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said. The Irish premier said that work with the inquiry team and and chairman had already begun, while Tanaiste Simon Harris said the Irish Government 'will not be found wanting'. Mr Harris, who is also Ireland's foreign minister, said he wanted to provide a 'categoric' assurance that his Government would find a legal mechanism to ensure all requested material is supplied to the UK inquiry into the 1998 attack. There is a significant cross-border element to the investigation into the Omagh bomb, as the attackers travelled across the border with the bomb ahead of the devastating blast in Co Tyrone. Everybody in Ireland remembers the horror of that sunny August afternoon in Omagh, and today will be another stark reminder of the pain and suffering caused to so many families as the commemorative hearings begin Simon Harris A judge who called on the UK Government to set up an inquiry also urged the Irish Government to establish its own probe. Ministers in Dublin decided against holding their own separate inquiry but have pledged to co-operate with the UK one. Ahead of the first substantive hearings beginning in Omagh on Tuesday, some relatives of the bereaved had questioned whether the Irish authorities would hand over all requested information. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed, was particularly vocal on the issue. Asked about the cooperation of the Irish Government, Mr Martin said: 'We have worked with the inquiry team and officials in my previous department – the Department of Foreign Affairs – would have engaged with the chairman of the tribunal and inquiry team, along with officials with the Department of Justice who are working with Department of Foreign Affairs. 'I've made it very clear that we have to cooperate fully with the inquiry team, just as we did in previous inquiries, where we passed legislation to enable us to provide information to such either inquests or inquiries.' Mr Harris, who was on visit to Stormont in Belfast on Tuesday, moved to offer reassurance to the families. 'Everybody in Ireland remembers the horror of that sunny August afternoon in Omagh, and today will be another stark reminder of the pain and suffering caused to so many families as the commemorative hearings begin,' he said. 'Testimony over the coming weeks will be difficult, especially for those who lost loved ones, and for those who responded first as the news broke, but it is important to remind ourselves of the full horror of that brutal attack, to remind ourselves of the purpose of this inquiry. 'When I was taoiseach, the Government took a clear decision to assist the Omagh Inquiry. That commitment was made clear, publicly, at the preliminary hearing last August. 'The programme for Government repeats that commitment in no uncertain terms, stating plainly that we will 'play our full part in legacy processes… including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry'. 'The cross-border nature of the assistance, to an inquiry established under UK law, means that it takes some work to get the details of the mechanisms of co-operation right, but we are actively engaging in this work and we will not be found wanting.' Mr Harris was challenged on the issue as he fielded questions from reporters at Parliament Buildings. 'I want to be categoric here that the Irish Government will ensure full co-operation with the inquiry,' he said. 'Our absolute, overstated, clear aim here is to make sure that all questions are answered through this inquiry, and can I say I think today is a very, very difficult and painful day for the families, for the families of victims, for the families of the many that were injured. 'It is a stark reminder of the horror and the evil that was experienced on that day in 1998, and I think of all of the victims today. I think of all of the families as well. 'And I heard Michael Gallagher's comments earlier. Michael Gallagher, a good man who has worked so hard for truth and for justice, and I want to absolutely assure him, and I want to assure all of the families that the Irish Government will co-operate.' He added: 'It is about finding the mechanism, because, obviously, Ireland is a sovereign country, the mechanism for engagement, but that will be found. 'There will be a way forward, and we will all work to make sure that victims, their families, the people of Northern Ireland, the people of this island, get answers and get truth.'
