Contributions
921 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI will turn to elements of this later in my speech, but I referred earlier to the importance of the conditional immunity clause. I think what my right hon. Friend will hear in the…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI will happily explain a bit later, when I have finished what I am saying. Turning now to the role of victims and families, through our extensive engagement with stakeholders we…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillThere is obviously no statute of limitations. The Bill has moved on and, as I said, I would like to think it has been improved a great deal. But it will be an independent body…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillIn answer to my hon. Friend’s first question, I confirm the geographical jurisdiction. On her second question, it rather depends on the evidence that might be held by individuals…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillIt is contained within the Bill and within the independence of the commission, which will be able to conduct criminal investigations when the families ask it to do so. I have met…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillFirst, I completely recognise the emotion with which the hon. Gentleman has expressed his views. He knows that I have met a huge number of people who have reflected with passion…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillNo. Turning now to the role of victims and families—18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillThere you go; we beg to differ. Finally, through these amendments the term “the relevant day” has been removed from the Bill, so a consequential amendment (a) to Lords amendment…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillWell, perhaps it is a case of better late than never. These are Government amendments, but I am the first to admit that amazingly good ideas sometimes emerge from the Back Benches…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillOur amendment provides until 1 May 2024 for inquests to conclude. Since the Bill’s introduction, expeditious case management of inquests in order to reach “an advanced stage” has…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. There have been a number of quite forthright conversations between the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste and myself on this matter. Obviously…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI think my hon. Friend will remember that I gave him a direct answer and he wanted something that was a bit longer. I have just given him something that is a bit longer that…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillThe ICRIR has always, as a public body, needed to comply with all its duties under the Human Rights Act. We have made it clearer, on the face of the Bill, that the commissioner…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillWith the leave of the House, I would like to answer a few of the points that have been raised. First, I recognise the passion, the emotion and the very personal nature of many of…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillLet me say to the hon. Gentleman, with the greatest respect, that he has his particular view of what happened following Stormont House, but I believe that history says something a…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillThe hon. Gentleman is right, but that became unworkable and impractical because the political consensus simply was not there when it came to legislation. The hon. Member for Foyle…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI thank the hon. Gentleman for his concise argument, but I can also think of no part of Northern Ireland’s history when we have managed to reach a point at which there is…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI am afraid I do not have the time. I wish to close by reiterating that the Government have sought to make a realistic assessment of what we can best deliver for families, over a…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI think I might have struck a nerve there. Today the Government will demonstrate that they are committed to getting victims—veterans are victims, as the hon. Gentleman says—the…18 Jul 2023HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI am delighted to speak to this Bill following its year-long passage through the other place. I pay tribute to Lord Caine for his expert stewardship of the Bill in that place, as…18 Jul 2023