19 September 2025 

Responding to today’s announcement from the UK and Irish Governments on legacy, SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP said:

“The deal announced today represents some progress, but we have serious concerns that what is being brought forward will fall short in meeting the needs of victims and their families. We are running out of opportunities to address the past and we cannot afford another false dawn.

“The SDLP welcomes the Tánaiste’s commitment that the Irish Government will comprehensively address legacy, and we look forward to hearing further details on how this will be implemented.

"Disclosure is at the core of the challenge with legacy. Truth recovery has dragged on for decades because layers of secrecy and veto have consistently been deployed by paramilitary and state killers.

“We reject the closure of inquests, long fought for by families and frequently required to correct the record and confirm truths others wanted to suppress. It is also unclear what, if any, work has been done to drive maximum disclosure from paramilitary groups.

“It must be remembered the absence of legacy structures has never been a barrier to paramilitary and state organisations deciding to demonstrate compassion and leadership by proactively addressing the hurt their actions caused.

“The SDLP will continue to engage with both governments, this consultation process, victims’ groups and forthcoming legislation. Our aim will always be building a legacy architecture that can finally give comfort to victims and help deliver a reconciled, shared future.”