Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention

Debate between Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick and Lord Coaker

Tuesday 6th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

Obviously, I agree with the points the noble Baroness has made.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, central to the legacy Bill is the impetus to protect victims and survivors. Therefore, does my noble friend Minister agree with me that there is a need for an adherence to a human rights-compliant approach in all aspects of the legislation impacting on various parts of society within these islands?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

Of course, the application of human rights legislation is important. The one thing I would say is that the ECHR cannot be applied retrospectively.

Republic of Ireland: Defence Co-operation

Debate between Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick and Lord Coaker

Wednesday 3rd September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

The noble Lord knows the arrangement with respect to Northern Ireland and its place within the United Kingdom. On his broader point about the importance of the Armed Forces, I was in Newtownards to celebrate and mark Armed Forces Day, and there were over 50,000 people there. I know the noble Lord has done similar things in the past.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, what discussions have taken place between the UK Government and the Irish Government regarding the protection of the ECHR and the Good Friday agreement, both of which are intrinsic and inseparable? Following suggestions by a Member of the other place that the Good Friday agreement could be renegotiated—which in my opinion is total nonsense—what is the view of the UK Government?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend Lady Ritchie for her point. Last week, the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said—I quote directly—:

“Let’s be clear: the ECHR underpins key international agreements on trade, security, migration and the Good Friday agreement”.


That encapsulates government policy on this and answers very clearly my noble friend’s question about the importance of the ECHR.