Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has declared that the Conservative government's Legacy Act 2023 'completely failed' to address the past, as he unveiled new measures to deal with crimes committed during the Troubles. Speaking on Friday, Benn said the 'significant reforms' would tackle the 'unfinished business' of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which he claimed the previous act had failed to confront because it was rejected by all five main political parties and victims' families.
The new joint framework between the British and Irish governments will replace the controversial Legacy Act, which had ended inquests and prosecutions of former soldiers and state agents. Benn acknowledged that 'a perfect outcome is not obtainable' but expressed hope the measures would provide answers to victims on both sides of the political divide. Ireland's deputy prime minister, Simon Harris, described the proposals as 'a night and day improvement' that would deliver 'maximum truth, justice and accountability'.
However, the plans faced immediate criticism. Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson denounced the Irish government's involvement as 'outrageous', saying it was 'egregious' to give Dublin 'dual control' of legacy policy. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said her party would 'take time to carefully consider' the proposals, while SDLP leader Claire Hanna voiced 'serious concerns' but acknowledged progress.
Under the new pact, frozen inquests will resume, and the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) will be replaced by two new bodies—one for investigations and another for information recovery. Public hearings overseen by independent judges will be held. Conditional immunity for soldiers and state agents will be lifted, and the ban on civil proceedings by victims will be removed. A legacy unit will be established by the Gardaí in Ireland, along with a €25 million fund to support witnesses.
Benn emphasised that veterans providing information would receive support and protection, including the option to give evidence via video link, rather than being summoned to Belfast as in the past. This support would also extend to former paramilitaries who disarmed in 1998. The Irish government views the measures, developed over nine months, as a crucial reset in bilateral relations and a 'return to partnership'.
