51. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the engagement with the British Government in relation to the legacy Bill; and the status of the interstate case. [59801/26]

Implementation of the measures announced in the Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles is a key priority for this Government.

I have been in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Bryant, since his appointment in July, as I was with his predecessor. Implementation of the Joint Framework has been a significant element of our discussions including when we met on 4 September at the British Irish Association Conference in Oxford and during his first visit to Dublin on 24 August.

These engagements have been positive and constructive and I believe the Secretary of State recognises the need to progress implementation of the commitments in Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles, including by advancing the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill in Westminster. That is the best route to legacy mechanisms that are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and can secure the confidence of victims and survivors of the Troubles.

The inter-state case remains in place but once the Joint Framework is translated faithfully into amending legislation, we hope to be in a position to revisit its status.