A local TD has expressed his "shock" over comments made by Northern Ireland's Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris in relation to the controversial Troubles Legacy Bill.
In a statement issued today, Mr Heaton-Harris said now that the legislation has become law, the UK government will do all it can to support the Truth Body, and that he hopes the Irish government and others will do the same.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Fianna Fail TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Deputy Brendan Smith, said that like many, he is "totally opposed" to the bill, which he has described as legislation which "gives total immunity to murderers who carried out heinous crimes."
According to Deputy Smith, the Irish government is currently seeking advice on a potential legal challenge, while the new law is already facing several challenges from victims' families.
Speaking to Northern Sound from the Welsh Parliament, Deputy Smith who is also the Co-Chair of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly stated; "I'm shocked that the Secretary of State would come up with any such suggestion. The best way out of this bad situation would be for the British Government to withdraw that legislation and work in putting in place systems that would be acceptable to all parties and that would foremost put the needs of victims front and centre. The people who this legislation is focused on are the murderers and the people who have carried out heinous crimes."
