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Written question asked by Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 9 May 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 May 2024. It was answered by Lord Caine (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 May 2024 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Republic of Ireland: Terrorism

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made any representations to the government of the Republic of Ireland about (1) recognising any historic role it may have had in the forming, funding and training of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, and (2) how it may have dealt with terrorist activity during the Troubles.

Answer

It is clear that the Irish Government has legitimate questions to answer regarding its record of dealing with legacy matters in its own jurisdiction. The coroner in the Kingsmill Inquest found, “the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland was “exploited by terrorists” and allowed for “… planning, training, organisation, weapons storage and retreat at a safe physical and legal distance from the authorities that would be faced with investigating terrorist acts in Northern Ireland”.

It is clear that, for many families, effective information recovery will also require the cooperation of the Irish Government and its agencies. The Government continues to encourage the Irish Government to cooperate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery to help facilitate the provision of information to families who request it, including most recently at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 29 April 2024.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL4524
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Finance IRA Terrorism Republic of Ireland
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk