NextFin news, On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Irish and United Kingdom governments unveiled a new joint framework in Belfast aimed at addressing the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles, a decades-long period of sectarian conflict. The announcement was made by Tánaiste Simon Harris and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn following consultations with victims' representatives.
The new framework replaces the contentious 2023 Legacy Act, which faced opposition from victims' groups and political parties and led to an interstate legal case by Ireland against the UK at the European Court of Human Rights. The Act had established the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), which is now to be renamed the Legacy Commission and reformed with an independent oversight board and strict conflict of interest rules.
The Legacy Commission will have the authority to conduct fact-finding and criminal investigations into Troubles-era cases, with the power to initiate prosecutions where evidence supports such action. A separate body, the Independent Commission for Information Recovery (ICIR), will focus on information recovery and provide reports to families. Importantly, the new framework removes any offer of immunity for perpetrators who cooperate, a highly contentious aspect of the previous legislation.
The Irish Government will legislate to ensure full cooperation by its authorities, including the establishment of a dedicated Legacy Unit within An Garda Síochána to serve as a single point of contact for victims and families. The government also plans to allocate €25 million to support victims, survivors, and next of kin in legacy processes.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the framework as a “sea-change” in the UK government's approach, highlighting that it addresses core issues such as immunity, restoration of civil cases, and introduces a stronger investigative dimension. He emphasized the need for a credible pathway to provide closure to families affected by the Troubles, noting that the conflict's impact spans three generations.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald welcomed the initiative, stressing the importance of human rights compliance and the ultimate judgment resting with victims and survivors. However, DUP leader Gavin Robinson criticized the agreement, accusing the UK government of ceding “dual control” of legacy issues to Dublin and expressing concerns over Ireland's role during the Troubles.
The framework closely mirrors elements of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, which was never implemented. Both governments have committed to enacting legislation to give effect to the new arrangements, with ongoing investigations under the previous commission to be transferred to the reformed bodies.
This announcement marks a significant step in Anglo-Irish relations and efforts to resolve longstanding legacy issues from the Troubles, aiming to balance justice, truth recovery, and reconciliation for affected communities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
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