Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
I listened intently to the Member who spoke previously. He makes a case for strong collaboration between the British and Irish Governments. I welcome that, if that is his logic; it is not entirely consistent with support for the DUP motion. We cannot support a DUP motion that "deplores" greater cooperation between the…
As I said yesterday, these are solemn matters. The proposals merit serious consideration, because we owe it to the victims. I will take exception: the Ulster Unionist Party is examining the proposals very closely. We will try to shape, bend and influence whatever the outcome is. There are lots of things that can be…
I appreciate the Member's being generous with his time. You have articulated the reason why the Alliance Party opposes the motion — because it states that we deplore the negotiations between the Irish Government and UK Government — but, if you read on, you will see that there is a particular reason for that, which is…
Do you accept that the belated setting up of a unit in an Garda Síochána to investigate the past is too little, too late? How many victims have died during the amnesty? How much evidence has been lost? How many suspects have died without being brought to justice in the past 25 years? It is too little, too late to…
When we discuss legacy, victims and survivors must always be at the centre of our discussions. One of the greatest failures of this place and of the two Governments over the past 27 years since the Good Friday Agreement has been the perennial failure to find a way forward or deliver a comprehensive package to deal…
The Member has just misquoted me. I said nothing about innocent victims not moving on and that being a form of poison. That is a direct and offensive misquote. I acknowledge the seriousness with which the Member takes the issue, but that is not what I said. Dealing with innocent victims and giving them justice is not…
I will point everyone again to the motion, which refers to: "the abject failure of the Irish Government to provide answers for those families who suspect Irish state involvement in the murder of their loved ones, or who believe that their deaths could have been prevented; highlights, furthermore, the absurdity of this…
FlaggedLegacy of the Troubles, victims and paramilitarismCriteria met: Identity framing, Dog-whistle messaging.
It will be very brief. Does the Member agree that the Brown family did not seek an inquiry but tried every other process, and that the legal process told them that the only way in which they could get the truth was through a public inquiry?
I am grateful to the Member for giving way. I accept and agree that a proposal for amnesty from any Government is totally inappropriate. You described the previous UK Government's proposal as being a nadir. Do you also agree that the amnesty that Michael McDowell says that the Irish Government gave to every suspect in…
It has been said before but needs to be said again, and as often as possible, that the people who matter most in this discussion are not those in the Chamber but those who are victims of the Troubles, as well as their families. In everything that we say and do, we must think about them. We also have a responsibility…
The motion also says that it deplores the decision of the Secretary of State to negotiate with this counterpart in the Republic of Ireland. How do you propose that we get full cooperation from the Irish Government in the absence of negotiation?
I will just remind people that this is a debate about the Irish Government's role in legacy; that is why we are focusing on the Irish Government's role. We debated our motion on that in March of this year, and not a single Member in the House disagreed. That motion passed without issue, having been amended by the DUP,…
I thank the Member for giving way. I agree with her when she talks about transparency between the Governments — our UK Government and that of the Irish Republic — but what about the terrorists? What about disclosure for the victims of terrorism? What about the political parties attached to terrorists, like Sinn Féin?
FlaggedLegacy of the Troubles, victims and paramilitarismCriteria met: Dog-whistle messaging.
I welcome the debate today. We should all keep one thing firmly in our minds this morning, which is the victims and survivors of the Omagh bomb and, indeed, all those bereaved, injured and killed during the entirety of the Troubles. They should be at the heart of today's discussion. Their voices must be heard, and…