Senator Niall Blaney slams UK Government for continuing its reckless approach with legacy bill
“This bill will reopen old wounds and increase tensions in Northern Ireland, rather than promoting healing and reconciliation. I appeal to the UK Government to withdraw the Bill and restart with a victim-centred approach"
The UK Government is continuing to take a reckless approach with the proposed legacy bill.
Their approach was slammed today by Fianna Fail's Senator Niall Blaney
The Fanad man said this was not good enough.
“The UK Government has taken a reckless approach such that every political and human rights organisation in this country opposes what it is doing. It goes completely against a victim-centred approach and is wrong. I appeal to the UK Government to withdraw the Bill and restart with a victim-centred approach.
“This bill will reopen old wounds and increase tensions in Northern Ireland, rather than promoting healing and reconciliation. I appeal to the UK Government to withdraw the Bill and restart with a victim-centred approach. I ask the Irish Government to be ready to take whatever legal or otherwise actions are necessary to undo this legislation.
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is currently at the Committee stage in the House of Lords.
“From my negotiations with Conservative party members and other political parties in Westminster, it is clear that the legacy bill is the priority for the UK Government."
He added: "I fear that the consequences for that will mean the protocol bill will lie there without proper engagement until such time that the legacy bill is passed. This is pushing progress in Northern Ireland further down the line and it must be called out.”