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Written question asked by Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 17 July 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 31 July 2025. It was answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Labour) on Friday, 25 July 2025 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce legislation to prevent those interned in Northern Ireland during the Troubles from being eligible for compensation following the repeal of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023; and, if so, when.

Answer

As the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has set out previously in answers to the Honourable Member for Stockton North and the Honourable Member for Reyleigh and Wickford (UIN 63126 and 65213), the main issue here is the application of the Carltona principle in the context of ICOs. The previous Government’s attempt to address this following the 2020 Supreme Court judgment in Adams was found by the Northern Ireland courts to be unlawful and we need to find a better way of reaffirming this principle.

The Government will therefore legislate to address this issue in forthcoming primary legislation when Parliamentary time allows.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL9617
Session
2024-26
Related items
Terrorism: Northern Ireland
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Northern Ireland Terrorism Veterans
Legislation
Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk