New Secretary of State must listen to all voices in Northern Ireland – Currie

The people of the North need the new Secretary of State to listen to all their voices, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Fine Gael Spokesperson on Northern Ireland and member of the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement Committee, Senator Emer Currie, has welcomed Chris Heaton-Harris to the position of Northern Ireland Secretary but warned that people need someone who is attentive, open, and willing to listen all voices.

Senator Currie said, “The list of issues the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland inherits is significant, including the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, collapsed power-sharing and unanimous opposition to the Legacy and Reconciliation Bill, as well as the strain Brexit and a new UK Bill of Rights has put on the Good Friday Agreement.

“We need a Secretary of State who will act in the interest of all the people of Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Irish government. Whilst our problems are serious, they are soluble. We have overcome much worse before, with empathy, compromise, and an understanding of the unique relationships on this island.

“This Secretary of State will be part of the lead into the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. I hope he is inspired by the shared leadership of that time between our governments and recognises the value in restoring that approach to achieve progress and stability.

“As a first priority, I would ask the new Secretary of State to meet with victims’ groups to understand the unanimous opposition to the Legacy and Reconciliation Bill which is to move to the House of Lords next week and how much victims and families have to lose if it is passed. There is a need for truth and justice to underpin reconciliation.

“The views and concerns of business and civic groups must be heard in relation to the Protocol, as well as politicians from all communities and none. We need Stormont back up and running.

“I wish the Secretary of luck in his new role. I hope he comes with an open mind and open ear to all voices in Northern Ireland”, Senator Currie concluded.