Committee publication · Correspondence · 12 June 2025

Correspondence to the Secretary of State, relating to legacy, dated 11 June 2025.

From: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Inquiry: The Government's new approach to addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland

Summary

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, chaired by Tonia Antoniazzi MP, writes to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 11 June 2025 ahead of a forthcoming UK-Ireland framework agreement on legacy issues. Drawing on 40+ written submissions and five public evidence sessions, the committee conveys key themes from victims, survivors, and stakeholders, including concerns about Irish Government accountability, genuine consultation, ICRIR's independence and trust deficits, reconciliation definitions, and implementation of memorialisation provisions.

Key findings

Irish Government must establish stronger legacy structures and statutory public inquiry into Omagh bombing; ICRIR's limited cross-border access requires reform with potential Irish Commissioner position
Stakeholders report consultation was predetermined rather than genuine; Government informed rather than asked for input on key decisions, undermining trust and accountability
ICRIR faces deep public mistrust rooted in controversial origins; only 'root and branch' reform or new body may restore confidence; separation of investigative and information-retrieval functions essential post-ECHR ruling
Inquest reinstatement plans criticised as unclear and inadequate; 'Enhanced Inquisitorial Proceedings' lack court, independent judge, and legal representation; funding gaps risk repeat failures
Vague 'national security' invocations obstruct disclosure; Secretary of State's 'effective veto' over sensitive material raises independence concerns; accountability gap exists for maladministration below criminality threshold

Tone

Critical

Topics

legacy-northern-irelandtruth-and-reconciliationcriminal-justicecross-border-cooperationvictims-survivors

Key actors

Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Rt Hon. Hilary Benn MP, Sir Declan Morgan, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, WAVE Trauma Centre, Law Society of Northern Ireland, PSNI, ICRIR

Notable line

“… consistently told us they feel listened to but not heard.”

Key Quotes

“We have built good relations with a range of stakeholders, who have consistently told us they feel listened to but not heard.”
— Tonia Antoniazzi MP · opening assessment of stakeholder engagement

“… only 'root and branch' reform could render the institution viable”
— Committee (summarising stakeholder views) · on ICRIR trust and confidence challenges

“… r etaining both functions within ICRIR risks creating a significant 'chill factor', deterring voluntary disclosure of information and ultimately undermining the credibility and effectiveness of any meaningful truth recovery mechanism.”
— Committee (summarising stakeholder views) · on combining investigative and information-retrieval processes

“… restoring inquests without adequate funding risks repeating past mistakes and failing victims once again”
— Sir Declan Morgan · on inquest reinstatement funding concerns

“… the Legacy Act's disclosure provisions were criticised for granting the Secretary of State what some described as an "effective veto" over ICRIR's ability to share sensitive material”
— Committee (summarising stakeholder views) · on information disclosure and independence

“… the Secretary of State's extensive powers via that legislation – ranging from appointments to oversight – compromise the Commission's hierarchical, operational, and practical autonomy”
— Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission · on ICRIR independence under the 2023 Act

“… two thirds of respondents lack confidence in its ability to achieve this goal”
— Committee (summarising stakeholder views) · on public confidence in ICRIR's ability to promote reconciliation

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗