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THE TAOISEACH HAS said the Government will not immediately drop its legal case against the UK government over the controversial Troubles Legacy Act following Labour’s general election victory.
Simon Harris said he wanted to work with newly-elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to develop a victim-centred approach to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.
The controversial Troubles Legacy Act came into effect on 1 May.
It saw ongoing investigations for unresolved Troubles deaths moved from the PSNI to a new truth recovery body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.
The Police Ombudsman will not take on any new investigations relating to Troubles incidents, new civil litigation are barred and inquests into Troubles deaths which have not concluded oral hearings were stopped.
The Irish Government has launched an interstate legal case against the UK, claiming that the Act breaches the European Convention on Human Rights. That case is still to be heard.
Keir Starmer’s Labour Party previously said it would repeal the Act if it came to power and wants to return to the legacy principles set out in the Stormont House Agreement.
In an interview with Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme, Harris said he did not ask Starmer when he would scrap the Legacy Act during their first phone conversation on Friday.
'Members of the incoming British government have a very good sense of Northern Ireland'. @SimonHarrisTD tells @SMurphyTV that @Keir_Starmer is a man of "integrity" when it comes to the Good Friday Agreement. #TrevorPhillips https://t.co/fhIHlpTGAF
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 7, 2024
📺 Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/Qu8MwlLSKv
“I did indicate the willingness of my government to work with the British government and with parties in Northern Ireland in relation to legacy,” Harris said.
“I welcome the commitments that the incoming British government has given in relation to replacing the Legacy Act.”
The Taoiseach was also asked if Ireland would now drop its inter-state case against the UK.
“Well no, I think we need to take this step-by-step,” he said.
“We obviously have, in fairness, a British prime minister who is just about in the door of Downing Street in the last couple of days, new ministers have only been appointed.
“I’m very respectful of that reality. I welcome the commitment that the British government has now given in relation to legacy, and let’s see where that brings us in the time ahead.”
However, Harris said he did not think Starmer would need to be pushed on his promise to repeal the Legacy Act.
“He’s given a very clear commitment in relation to legacy. I’m giving a very clear indication back that we’re happy to work with the British government on legacy,” he said.
Legacy is so important and it has to be victim-centred, it has to be human rights based, and it has to provide answers and justice for people who’ve experienced terrible atrocities.
“We also have to listen to the parties in Northern Ireland in relation to getting this right.”
Harris said there is “no doubt” that members of the new British government have a very good sense of Northern Ireland and said Starmer is very familiar with the region himself.
He also welcomed the appointment of Hilary Benn as the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
He described Benn as “a very experienced, serious politician who, again, knows Northern Ireland, knows Ireland, and knows the importance of the relationship between the two islands”.
On the prospect of a unity referendum, Harris said: “I just don’t think it arises currently.
“The Good Friday Agreement allows us both have those legitimate, differing aspirations, and there’s a structure in place to address that.
“For me, though, the focus and priority isn’t on a referendum, the focus on priority has to be on delivery.”
He said his constitutional aspiration for the future is for a united Ireland, but “it doesn’t arise today”.
“What arises right now is a moment to reset Anglo-Irish relations after what was a very turbulent period of time, and I’m very excited about the opportunities that that presents.”
One of Starmer’s first phone calls following his election was to Harris, during which he invited him to Downing Street on 17 July, which he accepted.
The Taoiseach said one of the priorities of his meeting with the Labour leader would be discussing ways of improving the structures for engagement between the two leaders following Brexit.
'If Keir Starmer proves to be a good friend to Ireland, would you reciprocate by being a strong voice & ally to the UK within the EU?' - @SMurphyTV
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 7, 2024
'It is important that Britain and the EU continue to be good neighbours' - @SimonHarrisTD#TrevorPhillips pic.twitter.com/aaqoHNepQB
“It used to be that whoever the Irish Taoiseach and British prime minister was would meet regularly through their membership of the European Union… Those structures obviously aren’t there now,” he said.
“I respect that fact. But we do need to look for new ways of making sure that regular engagement happens.”
He went on to say that the British Irish relationship is “really strong”.
“At the end of the day, we’re neighbours, we’re friends, in many cases we’re family as well.
There’s an opportunity now, a real opportunity that we must seize and that the next generation will never forgive us for if we don’t, to press reset, to say yes it’s been a difficult few years, but you know what? We have so much more in common than divides us.
“We have so many issues of mutual concern. We are two islands side-by-side. Let’s work together and let’s fulfil the promise of the Good Friday Agreement, a Good Friday Agreement that I know is very much in the DNA of the British Labour Party.
Harris also said Ireland would be an ally in any discussions the UK had in improving its relationship with the European Union.
Referring to Brexit, he said: “That decision has been made and my understanding is there’s no British government that intends to revisit that in any manner or means.
“However, it is obviously important that Britain and the European Union continue to be good neighbours and it is absolutely in Ireland’s interest that we facilitate that in every way we can around any European table.”
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Parents creating mental issues where there are none. Life sometimes throws a curve ball. Stay positive. Adapt. Invent. Deal with it.
@Wood Jackson: There are massive problems for children. Being stuck at home and banned for all social activities for 3 months, has made so many confident happy children nervous and afraid to leave their parents. Same for older people.
@Wood Jackson: totally agree, parents need to think outside the box, I know too many parents that they are covering up “I can’t deal with the kids” with ” I’m concerned about what it will do, please open everything”.
I’ve done stuff with my kids that we never ever had a chance before, so much great times we have had. In our house it will be the impact on family life that will change for the worse when things get more normal.
@Wood Jackson: its very tough for children who have no siblings or friends and not getting attention from parents who are working all day from home.
Thankfully playgrounds are back open now, so hopefully things will turn around for these kids now.
@Wood Jackson: These kind of flippant stiff upper lip comments are why this country has such a problem with suicide. You have no idea what those kids are going through yet you imply, the parents, who know their children the best are ‘creating mental health issues’ What exactly do you think a parent would gain from that ?
@Wood Jackson: How you think an event, that’s touched nearly every country in the world, killed almost half a million people, stopped any form of normal life for months, not allowed embracing of loved-ones or interacting with friends, can not have a mental effect on people (incl. kids) and just needs some positivity is beyond me.
I think that attitude only futures contributes to the stigma of talking about mental health. I’d be one of the first to say kids are resilient and most will bounce back quickly when/if normality resumes but I think you’re frankly wrong in not allowing space for parents to be worried about the effect on their kids or in not believing this can have an effect on kids (“Where there are none”)
I think talking to kids regularly about how they are doing, recognising that’s it’s ok to feel down, annoyed, frustrated etc. can help encourage good conversations and avoid any bigger mental health issues down the road
@RJ: lucky you. Not everyone has been in the position where they can.
@Wood Jackson: Jebus ur clueless
@Wood Jackson: My son is a single child of 7 years. He hasn’t seen his classmates nor his best friends who is 1 year younger since the lockdown. They weren’t allowed at first and later if they would play at thst age 2m apart. You can’t have an eye on that the full time.
When homeschooling started my partner did that with him but this isn’t social interaction on an equal level, I also took him daily in the park for fitness challenges after work and spent my free days with him doing boardgames or what the 2km around town. However, I’m not 7 and my needs are different than his.
I could imagine that the lockdown time could be nice for children with siblings and parents who don’t work and can spent time with children but reality is that not every child is so lucky.
My child has changed for sure and is now glued to screens while he was otherwise far more active.
We plan now playdates with at least 1 child again and the parents again. Screw that kind of life.
@Wood Jackson: I take it you’re not a parent then ??
My kids are quite happy sitting around on their arses all day playing video games and screaming/fighting while me and my wife try to work. It’s our mental health I’m worried about!
@John Shea Hen: Lol, very true.
@John Shea Hen: I hear ya!
I think it depends on the home situation. If parents are stressed, kids will be stressed. For many kids home life wasn’t a happy place before lockdown; lockdown made it worse. My kids were most stressed when I was attempting to homeschool without a spare laptop, work from home, cook, clean and break up fights…often all at the same time…having to stay up late or get up early in the morning to catch up on work. When I let “standards slip” let them play, use their imaginations, use “nanny Mctv”, stay in their pjs all day, get take aways, do bare minimum of homeschool, leave the house messy…they were happier, I was less stressed, they were less stressed…my kids have never been more content. Kids have to learn that life is not easy or go your way
There are kids who miss months or years of school and socialising because of illness all the time. Their mental health isn’t affected long term because of this. Kids are resilient. It’s parents making an issue when there is none. 3 months out of a lifetime is nothing. They’ll be fine.
My kid absolutely loved it but got back to socializing and interacting very easily.
@Emma Dobbyn: your kids aren’t all kids. Have a bit of empathy. The idea that this isn’t an issue for some families is ridiculous. I teach 18 autistic students and this has had a terrible impact on some of them and their families.
@Graham Manning: I have plenty of empathy and I completely understand how difficult it must be for families who have children with additional needs. However the article said that 70% of parents were concerned, 70% of the children in the country do not have addition needs. If we were speaking about a subset of children my opinion would be different.
@Emma Dobbyn: “parents making an issue where there is none”??? 70%? Fair enough but it’s far from just those with SEN and certainly not none.
@Emma Dobbyn: I don’t think that’s a very good comparison. Children who miss school for months or years at a time through illness is setting the bar really low. It also doesn’t factor in how children need to stay back a year if they miss too much school.
The big problem here that nobody seems to accept is that there may be no vaccine for the virus in the medium term. It might take years and years. So what is the solution to children’s schooling needs in this scenario? They are due back after already missing 6 months of school. What if there is a big 2nd spike of the virus this autumn? Do we force another lockdown and children miss more school? What about a 3rd and 4th wave?
Maybe try being better parents then?
The message we hear since March is ‘fear through national media. Such media also implying kids were a danger for spreading the virus.
I feel sorry for the kids.
Get a grip.
Children are free to interact with other children at present , this should help socially and emotionally for the vast majority of children . Some children with additional needs require far more support. These children usually qualify for “ July Provision.” The DES have made a pig’s ear of it , vague guidelines at the last minute, as per usual .
IT JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW THE BIASED MEDIA HAS BRAINWASHED PEOPLE INTO BELIEVING THE SNOWFLAKES AND THEIR SOCIALIST IDEALS.
@Jim: HEY JIM, QUIT WITH THE BLOODY CAPS LOCK PLEASE!!!!
@Jim:
Did you have a bad lockdown, Jim?
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