Brendan Smith denounces British amnesty plan as 'charter'
Deputy Brendan Smith criticised the British Government's new variation on an amnesty proposal for those who committed murder during the Troubles, calling it a 'charter for the perpetrators'. He urged adherence to the Stormont House Agreement and said victims and families must be fully consulted on any way forward.
Key criticism
The British Government's published proposal would grant immunity to those who assist a new independent recovery body and cooperate, which Deputy Brendan Smith said effectively creates an amnesty for murderers. He described the variation as a new iteration of an already despicable and discredited proposal.
Reference to Dublin Monaghan bombings
Speaking after an event marking the 48th anniversary of the Dublin Monaghan bombings, Deputy Brendan Smith recalled that 33 innocent people were killed and hundreds injured, and said the Stormont House Agreement must be implemented to keep victims' rights central.
Call for proper process and engagement
He warned that any significant unilateral departure from the Stormont House Agreement should be discussed by both governments and all parties. He said there must be serious and credible engagement with victims and families and that he has communicated these concerns to the British Prime Minister.
Victims' reaction and next steps
Deputy Brendan Smith said he has met many victims' groups in recent months who are unhappy with the British Government's approach. He stated that his side will consider the United Kingdom Government's proposals in detail and will have a comprehensive range of issues and questions to raise.
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Thank you very much for that, I can call it. Eishuk, as you are aware, the British Government have now come up with a new variation on their already despicable proposal in relation to an amnesty for murder, people who committed murder during the Troubles. So the British Government are now proposing that those who assist a new independent recovery body and cooperate will not face prosecution. So now the British Government are introducing a charter for the perpetrators of murder and other heinous crimes. We have a coalition of people, of murderers from the state forces and murderers from the paramilitary organisations. You quite rightly said yesterday at the event to mark the 48th anniversary of the Dublin Monaghan bombings where 33 innocent people were killed and hundreds injured, that the Stormont House Agreement needed to be implemented and ensure that the rights and the concerns of victims are centre stage in all processes. A very firm rebuke must go to the British Government in regard to this variation on their already discredited amnesty proposal. I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue with me. We are considering the United Kingdom Government's published proposals in detail, but I have no doubt that we will have a very comprehensive range of issues to raise and questions to ask. But there is also, I think, a broader question of process. It has been our consistent position and mine, and I have communicated this to the British Prime Minister, that the basis for progress on legacy is the Stormont House Agreement that was reached between the two governments and political parties back in 2014. If a significant unilateral departure from that agreement is now being proposed, then this would need to be discussed by both governments and with all of the parties, and there has to be and must be serious and credible engagement with victims and families. It is essential that both governments and the parties in Northern Ireland have real and considered discussion on any way forward on this deeply sensitive issue. Victims and families must, crucially, be brought into consideration of any way forward. I have met with many victims groups over the last number of months. They are not happy with the manner in which the British Government has approached this, and their views have to be uppermost.
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