Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what reasons the Northern Ireland Office has not yet published for public consultation its proposals to deal with legacy issues in Northern Ireland; when he plans to publish those proposals; and if he will make a statement.

The Government believes that the Stormont House Agreement proposals represent the best means of addressing Northern Ireland’s past in ways that will be fair, balanced and proportionate. The next phase is to consult publicly on how to address the legacy of the past and move Northern Ireland forward, including details of how the new institutions could work in practice. A public consultation would provide everyone with an interest the opportunity to see the proposals and contribute to the discussion on the issues.

The Government wants to consult soon but wants this to happen at a time that will best build support and confidence in the new legacy institutions from across the community. I am reflecting carefully on the next steps for taking forward a consultation.