Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said the Irish government must take an interstate case against the British government’s shameful Legacy Act.

The North Belfast MP was speaking after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today told the Dáil the Irish government will decide before 17 January 2024 whether it will take an inter-state case against the British government’s shameful Legacy Act.

John Finucane MP said:

“I would urge the Taoiseach to confront this denial of human rights and breach of international human rights law through an interstate case and international action against the British government.

“Last week the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement unanimously agreed to write to the Taoiseach calling on the Irish government to take an interstate case.

“Already we have seen families taking individual cases against the British government’s cynical and cruel Legacy Act. 

“These families should not have been forced to take individual legal action.

“This could have been prevented if the Irish government had taken an interstate case against the Legacy Act. They can still do this and I would strongly encourage them to do so to prevent more families having to take this course of action.”