Gardai have not responded to requests from Reconciliation Commission: Robinson

The DUP’s leader has said the Republic of Ireland’s police force has “never” responded to requests from the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Speaking to reporters in Stormont on Monday Gavin Robinson said: “Families have gone to the ICRIR, and families have asked for information that would help them understand what happened to their loved ones.

“Do you know how many times An Garda Siochana responded to requests from the ICRIR?

“Never. They have never satisfied one request.”

His comments came after a meeting with the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee.

Mr Robinson was asked if he had been given any information about a timeline for Irish legislation addressing the legacy of the Troubles.

He said there was “an indication” there was progress with the legislation, but he would need to study it with a “victim-centred” approach.

He said the Gardai’s responsiveness to the ICRIR is an example of the Irish government’s approach to legacy issues.

He added: “We hear from Irish politicians continually that they’re interested in satisfying the request of victims, they’re interested in answering the queries that loved ones have.

“Actions speak louder than words.

“The ICRIR never once had a satisfied response to a request for information.

“So whether they honoured the framework agreement last September and set up a telephone line or not, it doesn’t matter if they’re not going to provide information through those channels.”

Asked if he had “heard that” from the ICRIR, Mr Robinson said the Irish government has a “blanket refusal” for “any Irish state authority to engage with ICU”.

He said: “That’s their position, but they don’t say it.

“You’ll not hear it from them, all you’ll hear are the honey words while engaging with victims and assuaging their concerns.

“They are not delivering or living up to the honour of the words they say.”

Speaking later, Ms McEntee said An Garda Siochana were not handing over information because to do so would not comply with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

She said there were “significant concerns” about the way the commission is “currently structured” and it was “not compliant” with the ECHR.

She said “it is for that reason and that reason only” that Gardai are not passing over information.

She added that the Irish Government hoped that under the new commission planned in the joint framework on Troubles’ legacy announced last September that Gardai would be able to “engage”.

Responding to questions about the requests to Gardai she said: “I don’t think we’ve hidden this.”

Ms McEntee said the last time she was in Belfast she met a number of different victim and survivors’ groups

“I’ve made it very clear to them, our number one priority as a Government is making sure that we can support the commission, obviously making sure that our legislation is in place and in situ when the UK legislation passes, but also making sure we have the structures in place in the south as well.”