Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan T.D., has secured Cabinet approval to move forward with legislative proposals aimed at addressing the legacy of the Troubles.

The newly published General Scheme of the Legacy of the Troubles Bill 2026 details how the Government intends to fulfill its commitments under the Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles, which was agreed with the UK government last September. The proposed legislation will enable Irish authorities to cooperate fully with the future UK Legacy Commission and troubles-related public inquiries. Additionally, the Scheme outlines plans to establish the cross-border Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR), a body envisioned in the Stormont House Agreement to help families seek answers regarding the deaths of their loved ones.

Priority drafting for the Bill will begin immediately.

Speaking following publication of his proposals, Minister O'Callaghan said: "Securing approval to progress this legislation is an important further step in delivering on the Government's commitment to implementing the Joint Framework on addressing the Legacy of the Troubles as swiftly as possible, and playing our full part in legacy processes, as committed to in the Programme for Government.

"Reaching agreement on the Joint Framework last September marked a welcome return to a collaborative approach between the two governments to addressing Northern Ireland issues and is fundamentally about providing routes to truth and accountability for those most affected by the Troubles in both jurisdictions.

"The publication of these proposals, in conjunction with the signing into law of the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Act 2026 last Wednesday 3 June, is a strong demonstration that the Government will not be found wanting in relation to addressing the legacy of the past. They build on the many other existing and bespoke measures in place to assist UK criminal investigations, coronial inquests, inquiries and specific reviews such as Operation Denton.

"The proposals will facilitate co-operation, in respect of both documentary materials and the taking of sworn testimony, with the non-criminal fact-finding investigations and inquisitorial proceedings to be carried out by the UK Legacy Commission, once established, and with public inquiries.

"Our assistance with criminal investigations carried out by the Legacy Commission will be through existing mutual legal assistance channels. "In line with the commitments in the Joint Framework this co-operation is intended to be fully reciprocal with the UK government and its authorities providing similar co-operation to investigations, inquests and inquiries in this jurisdiction.

"The Joint Framework recognises that the families of victims may still have unanswered questions about incidents from the Troubles and the proposals provide for the establishment of a new cross-border, information-retrieval body that will allow them to seek a degree solace in relation to the deaths of their loved ones outside the criminal justice system where they chose to do so."

Because the legislative proposals are designed to facilitate cooperation with the UK Legacy Commission, the Minister must await the formal enactment of the UK's Northern Ireland Troubles Bill before introducing the Irish Bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Referring to this dependency the Minister O'Callaghan said: "I am committed to being in a position to act quickly and introduce the Bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as the UK Bill is enacted. That is why I sought and received Government approval today for priority drafting. I will also be seeking the support of members of the Houses in due course for the passage of the Bill as soon as possible to ensure that our authorities have the powers to deal with requests for assistance from the Legacy Commission once it has commenced its work."

The State remains committed to addressing Troubles-related events within its jurisdiction through a variety of existing measures alongside the new legislative scheme.

Referring to those measures Minister O'Callaghan said: "Reflecting a victim-centred approach to legacy, An Garda Síochána is committed, where possible, to answering any questions that survivors and victims' families may have about investigations under its jurisdiction and to providing a report to those concerned. In support of this commitment, the Garda Commissioner has already established a dedicated unit, the Garda Troubles Legacy Liaison Unit, to act as a readily accessible point of contact for survivors and victims' families.

"In addition to these new measures, I want to underline that criminal investigations into all unresolved troubles-related incidents in this jurisdiction remain open and An Garda Síochána remains fully committed to following up proactively on all investigative opportunities that come to light, including through co-operation with the UK authorities. The possibility of pursuing criminal prosecutions remains open in all of these cases where the evidence supports it."

The Minister's legislative proposals are scheduled to be referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for further consideration.