Proposals published to address Legacy of the Troubles

The General Scheme of the Legacy of the Troubles Bill 2026 sets out how the Government will legislate to implement its commitments in the Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles, agreed with the UK government last September, to facilitate the fullest possible co-operation by the relevant Irish authorities with the UK Legacy Commission, when established, and with UK troubles-related public inquiries.

The scheme also provides for the establishment of the cross-border Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (the ICIR), foreseen in the Stormont House Agreement, to assist families to find answers about the deaths of their loved-ones during the Troubles.

Work will now commence on the drafting of the bill as a matter of priority.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “Securing approval to progress this legislation is an important further step in delivering on the Government’s commitment to implementing the Joint Framework on addressing the Legacy of the Troubles as swiftly as possible, and playing our full part in legacy processes, as committed to in the Programme for Government.

“Reaching agreement on the Joint Framework last September marked a welcome return to a collaborative approach between the two governments to addressing Northern Ireland issues and is fundamentally about providing routes to truth and accountability for those most affected by the Troubles in both jurisdictions.

“The publication of these proposals, in conjunction with the signing into law of the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Act 2026 last Wednesday 3 June, is a strong demonstration that the Government will not be found wanting in relation to addressing the legacy of the past. They build on the many other existing and bespoke measures in place to assist UK criminal investigations, coronial inquests, inquiries and specific reviews such as Operation Denton.

“The proposals will facilitate co-operation, in respect of both documentary materials and the taking of sworn testimony, with the non-criminal fact-finding investigations and inquisitorial proceedings to be carried out by the UK Legacy Commission, once established, and with public inquiries.

“Our assistance with criminal investigations carried out by the Legacy Commission will be through existing mutual legal assistance channels.

“In line with the commitments in the Joint Framework this co-operation is intended to be fully reciprocal with the UK government and its authorities providing similar co-operation to investigations, inquests and inquiries in this jurisdiction.

“The Joint Framework recognises that the families of victims may still have unanswered questions about incidents from the Troubles and the proposals provide for the establishment of a new cross-border, information-retrieval body that will allow them to seek a degree solace in relation to the deaths of their loved ones outside the criminal justice system where they chose to do so.”

As the intent of the proposals is to enable co-operation with the Legacy Commission that is the subject of the UK Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, it is necessary for Mr O’Callaghan to await the enactment of the UK bill before presenting a bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “I am committed to being in a position to act quickly and introduce the bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as the UK bill is enacted.”

The minister’s proposals will be referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.