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Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Asked by Mr Mark FrancoisConservativeNorthern Ireland OfficeTabled Answered 20 May 2025UIN 52588

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) Gerry Adams and (b) others interned without trial in the 1970s do not receive compensation following the proposed repeal of sections 46 and 47 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn

This is an issue that the previous Government failed to adequately address following the 2020 Supreme Court judgment in Adams.

Its belated attempt to do so via an amendment to the Legacy Act has been found by the Northern Ireland courts to be unlawful.

The Government is carefully exploring how to lawfully address this complex issue alongside our clear commitment to implement legacy mechanisms that are fully compliant with human rights.

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