UK and Irish governments set to reveal a new Northern Ireland legacy accord
The Irish and British governments are set to unveil a new breaking news on dealing with the legacy of Northern Ireland's Troubles, following high-level discussions that have been ongoing for a year. This new framework, to be announced at a news conference later today, aims to develop proposals that are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and have the support of families. The new Framework will see the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) retitled the news Commission. The new balance Commission will be reformed to include a new independent oversight board and robust conflict of interest rules for staff. A separate fact-finding body, the Independent Commission for Information Recovery (ICIR), will also be established, providing reports to families. A new legacy unit will be established in An Garda Síochána as a single point of contact in such cases. It is expected that once the new framework is translated into law, the decision in the interstate case can be reviewed, which the Irish government took against the UK in 2024 over the breach of the convention by the current legislation at the European Court of Human Rights. Tánaiste Simon Harris is expected to tell the news conference that the new Framework is an 'imperfect opportunity' to make a real difference to families bereaved by the Troubles. He will also say that legislation will be required to give effect to what has been agreed. The Government will legislate to ensure the fullest possible cooperation by the authorities in the Republic with the reformed legacy institutions and commit to undertake investigations in the Republic. The British and Irish governments are keen to resolve their differences over legacy issues, with Mr. Harris stating that families have waited too long for truth and accountability. It is expected that the political parties in Northern Ireland have been briefed on the plan, and a commitment will be given to transfer any investigations already under way in Northern Ireland into the new institutions. The new arrangements closely resemble the legacy elements of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, which was never implemented. It is expected that the new Framework will set aside €25 million to support families in legacy processes. The new Framework marks a significant step forward in Anglo-Irish relations and offers hope for families seeking truth and justice for the Troubles.
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