Minister Micheál Martin welcomes publication of report by Consultative Group on the Past in Northern Ireland

Minister Micheál Martin welcomes publication of report by Consultative Group on the Past in Northern Ireland 

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, T.D., welcomed the publication today of the report of the Consultative Group on the Past, which recommends steps which might be taken in support of the building of a shared future in Northern Ireland which is not overshadowed by the past.

The Minister said:

"I welcome the publication of this report, which is the product of an extensive process of consultation by the Consultative Group, chaired jointly by Denis Bradley and Archbishop Eames. Dealing with the human legacy of the Troubles is an extremely difficult and delicate task. It took considerable skill and dedication for the Consultative Group to bring the process to the point where they could report to the Secretary of State. The co-Chairmen and the other members of the Consultative Group deserve our thanks.

I would like to pay tribute to the sensitivity and compassion with which the Group engaged, privately and publicly, with people from a wide range of backgrounds across these islands.

Our understanding of the difficult issues outstanding from the past, including the loss felt by families and friends at the death and injury of loved ones in terrible circumstances, has also been helped by the ongoing work of the Weston Park inquiries, whose significance is recognised in the report. It is important that the work begun at Weston Park be brought to completion.

The Consultative Group’s report marks the end of a first stage in a process and, as I discussed with Secretary of State Woodward this morning, it is important that all stakeholders give the report careful consideration. I look forward to hearing their views as well as to discussing these issues further with the Secretary of State."

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28 January 2009

Press Office