Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
208. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will establish a historical investigations unit to allow for independent police investigation into unresolved deaths and incidents of torture or ill treatment as proposed by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the Committee on the Administration of Justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6083/26]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Historical Investigation Unit structure was a proposal contained in the Stormont House Agreement specific to Northern Ireland.
In this jurisdiction, the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, led by the Assistant Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime, holds a national investigative remit and is specialised in the area of major crime investigation. It undertakes and supports investigations on the direction of the Garda Commissioner.
The Deputy will also be aware that the expertise of the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT), established in 2007 to provide for independent review of historical investigations, including homicides, is available where appropriate. These reviews constitute an independent examination of evidence and other material, gathered during investigation and to ensure that it conforms to approved standards; that the investigation has been thorough, conducted with integrity and objectivity; and to identify further investigative opportunities. The remit of the SCRT is broad and would include reviews of Troubles-related cases, where appropriate.
I can also assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to fulfil our shared responsibilities as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. The Programme for Government explicitly states our commitment to play our full part in legacy processes and to address the legacy of the conflict in this jurisdiction. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government at its meeting on 1 October formally approved the Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles agreed with the British Government and announced on 19 September. As part of this, the Government has committed to facilitating the cooperation of the relevant Irish authorities with the UK Legacy Commission, once established, to the fullest extent possible. The UK Government also commits to reciprocal cooperation by the UK authorities with investigations, inquests and inquiries on the same basis and in the same spirit.
As recognised in the Joint Framework, investigations into Troubles-related incidents should be victim-centred. It includes a commitment to establish a single point of contact in An Garda Síochána for cross-border cooperation on Troubles-related cases and to act as a central point of contact and co-ordination for victims and families in relation to Troubles-related investigations undertaken by An Garda Síochána. The unit, known as the Troubles Legacy Liaison Unit, has been established within An Garda Síochána since the start of the year. On 23 January, the Garda Commissioner and I formally announced the establishment of the unit. Further information including contact details are available on the Garda website through the following link: []Troubles Legacy Liaison Unit - Garda - www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/garda-national-crime-security-intelligence-service1/troubles-legacy-liaison-unit/.
The full operation of the unit in line with what is envisaged in the Joint Framework will depend on the progress made by the UK Government in enacting the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill and the reformed Legacy Commission becoming fully operational.
This unit will operate alongside the commitment of An Garda Síochána to continue to investigate all unresolved Troubles-related incidents within its jurisdiction and ensure that any potential investigative opportunities are proactively pursued. The investigation of such cases will continue to be undertaken by the relevant Garda Division in which the incident occurred with the support of national units as required.
In circumstances where historic offences have not been resolved, I am assured that the investigations remain open and the Garda Authorities follow up fully on any new evidence or information that becomes available to them, whether that comes from the public, from other police services or from their own investigations.
