Troubles legacy act: UK-Irish relations consequences 'not ruled out'

Consequences for UK-Irish relations cannot be ruled out over legal action on the Troubles legacy act, a Northern Ireland Office (NIO) minister has said.

On Wednesday, the Irish government said it would challenge a UK law which offers a conditional amnesty for Troubles-era killings.

Lord Caine said the legislation was "compatible" with the UK's international obligations.

He added the Irish government's action was "profoundly" regrettable.

The UK act, which became law in September, has been widely opposed by victims groups and political parties in Northern Ireland.

Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Micheál Martin said the UK had "pursued legislation unilaterally" despite the concerns of the Irish government and others.

Lord Caine said the law was the "only show in town" and the UK would try to "minimise any consequences arising out of this".

Speaking to Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster, he said: "We deeply regret the fact that the Irish have decided unilaterally to take this case in the Strasbourg court.

"Of course we highly value the relationship with the Irish government - it's a hugely important bilateral relationship for us.

"Can I rule out any consequences? The answer is no."

In 2021, former prime minister Boris Johnson said the bill was designed to "draw a line under the Troubles", a 30-year conflict that cost more than 3,500 lives.

The act sets up an independent commission, which aims to help families find out more about the circumstances of what happened to their loved ones.

This could lead to self-confessed perpetrators being granted immunity from prosecution.

It also puts a stop to new court cases and inquests from the Troubles being held.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said the Irish government legal challenge was "disappointing" but one that the UK had prepared for.

Addressing his Irish counterparts, he added it was "inconsistent and hard to reconcile with its own record" on dealing with legacy matters.

Mr Martin said Ireland's case was the "honourable approach".

The Irish government had a number of concerns, he continued, "particularly the granting of immunity for violations of human rights" and the inability to progress inquests.

He said they were fundamental issues which "go to the heart" of the Good Friday Agreement, the peace deal which helped end the conflict.

On Wednesday, Ireland's move was welcomed by Sinn Féin, while the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the Irish government had no proposals to deal with legacy issues related to its own jurisdiction.