Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 28 June 2023
28 Jun 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill
I am grateful to Pauline McNeill for giving way. She knows of my deep personal interest in the issue—indeed, she will note that I had the great honour of hosting in this Parliament three people who were deeply involved with the architecture of the Good Friday agreement, as we marked 25 years of the agreement. As we have heard, they were clear that the bill will not work in achieving the consensus on reconciliation that is required, and that it does not have the support of the people of Northern Ireland. Crucially, it is relevant to people in Scotland because of the strong diaspora links between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Would the member agree that we have to respect the people of Northern Ireland on this matter?
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-09722, in the name of Angela Constance, on the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill...
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (Angela Constance)
SNP
This is an opportunity for the Parliament to consider a supplementary legislative consent motion on the UK Government’s Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
The cabinet secretary has outlined the principles of the bill. What conversations did the Scottish Government manage to have with those on the ground in Nort...
Angela Constance
SNP
I am aware that the bill has been opposed by every political party in Northern Ireland, including the Democratic Unionist Party, and key stakeholders such as...
Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I grew up with the troubles on my television screen. For families in Northern Ireland, it was their lives. Today, it can be easy for us to forget the daily b...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
We all need to be very careful in how we talk about and consider this issue. I want to make the following point. On 20 July 1982, four soldiers from my regi...
Russell Findlay
Con
I thank Edward Mountain for his intervention. I know that, as a former soldier, he knows more than most the extent of the troubles and the horrors that they ...
Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
SNP
I do not know whether Russell Findlay heard what the cabinet secretary said, but all the parties in Northern Ireland believe that the bill undermines the rig...
Russell Findlay
Con
There are many views about the legislation in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom, but it is vitally important that a UK-wide approach is taken. T...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill proposes an effective amnesty from prosecution for troubles-related offences in exchange for c...
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am grateful to Pauline McNeill for giving way. She knows of my deep personal interest in the issue—indeed, she will note that I had the great honour of hos...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back, Ms McNeill.
Pauline McNeill
Lab
I agree whole-heartedly with Paul O’Kane that, although the substance of the debate is about whether we give legislative consent to the bill because it cuts ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call the cabinet secretary to wind up the debate, for around five minutes. 15:36
Angela Constance
SNP
The Government recognises the great sensitivity of the matters that we are discussing today, and it has proceeded on that basis at all times. In essence, the...
Russell Findlay
Con
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Angela Constance
SNP
No, thank you. In our view, that has the potential to adversely impact the long-standing position of the Lord Advocate. The bill—
Edward Mountain
Con
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Angela Constance
SNP
No, I will not, Mr Mountain. Okay—yes, I will.
Edward Mountain
Con
I am very grateful. Some people who have already been prosecuted have got letters, known as “on the run” letters, from a previous UK Government, which allow ...
Angela Constance
SNP
Mr Mountain, I am trying very hard not to have a politicised debate, given the matters that we are discussing. I am aware of the sensitivity of the issues fo...