Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that Sinn Féin must meet with families of Provisional-IRA victims as it has an “obligation” when it comes to legacy issues.
The Foreign Affairs Minister made the comments following a meeting of the British and Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Dublin’s Farmleigh House on Thursday.
Mr Martin, alongside Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and Justice Minister Simon Harris, met with Northern Irish Secretary Chis Heaton-Harris and MPs Steve Baker, Julia Lopez and Graham Stuart.
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The UK and Irish Governments agreed on the importance of restoring to full operation of the Northern Irish Assembly. MLAs have not sat for nine months as debate continues on the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol issue.
They also discussed the UK’s proposed legislation on dealing with the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government’s concerns about it. The Bill proposes amnesty for those accused of killing and other Troubles-related crimes.
Mr Martin said that all parties have an “obligation” when it comes to legacy, including Sinn Féin.
He said: "I met with victims last week in Armagh. I was very struck by how some victims sought meetings with Sinn Féin in respect of what happened to their loved ones, and those meetings were not facilitated.
"I think there is an onus on all parties. I met many victims of Provisional IRA violence last week whose cases have not been satisfied and who have not got detail or closure.
"To me there is a legacy on Government, the Irish government, the British government, but also a legacy on those who were lockstep with paramilitaries of the past, a declaration they were one.
"I have no objection to people saying we should do this and that but I also think people should reflect on their own position, in respect of how they are honouring the victims of the past and how they're dealing with the victims of the past and dealing with the legacy issue.”
Mr Heaton-Harris would not give any detail on the ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU on the Protocol.
The Northern Irish Secretary said that he has 12 weeks to call an election and is going to talk to all parties about forming an Assembly before that. He did not say when an election would be called.
He added: “There are also important talks going on in Brussels between the UK Government and European Union [on the Protocol].
“If we can solve one problem, we might be able to solve the other. I think it's worth me taking the time to consider [when an election will be called].”
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