A Cavan TD has described the British Government's Legacy and Reconciliation Bill as a 'deplorable piece of legislation'.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Brendan Smith believes this Bill, as proposed, would give murderers and the perpetrators of other heinous crimes the right to give themselves an amnesty for such misdemeanors.
According to Deputy Smith this is something that "should not be acceptable" in any democratic society. He continued; "Our total opposition to this Bill must be outlined repeatedly to the British Prime Minister and his Government.
"Dealing properly with the legacy of the past is very important. Families who have campaigned with such grace and dignity over decades cannot be abandoned through the implementation of such legislation.''
Responding to the concerns of Deputy Smith, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government remains "deeply concerned" about the shutting down of all other avenues to truth and justice, including inquests, police investigations, ombudsman investigations, as well as civil cases.
He added that the Government's firm view is that any way forward on legacy must be based on human rights and should have the agreement of the five main parties in Northern Ireland.
