16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on the discussions she has had on legacy issues with the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. [69041/26]

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. I discussed the implementation of the Joint Framework with him in detail during his first visit to Dublin in his new role on 24 August and again at our next in person meeting at the British Irish Association Conference in Oxford on 4 September.

These engagements were positive and constructive. I welcomed the progress being made on the implementation of the commitments made by both governments in the Joint Framework, in particular the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill moving forward to Committee Stage in the House of Commons next month.

The Government's objective is to ensure that legacy mechanisms are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and can secure the confidence of victims and survivors of the Troubles. I look forward to working with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland over the coming weeks and months to ensure we achieve this shared goal and both of us - and our teams - and in regular contact on this and a range of issues relevant to Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, one area where agreement was not possible under the Joint Framework relates to the murder of Seán Brown.

The Government has made clear our support for the Brown family in their calls for a public inquiry into his murder and I also raised the matter with the Secretary of State when we met in Dublin.

The Government will continue to support the Brown family in their calls for a public inquiry and I will continue raise this case with the British government.