What the UUP told Dublin: Legacy, security and Stormont reform on the table

Pictured Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA, Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee TD and Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA

A meeting between Ulster Unionist Party leaders and Ireland’s Foreign Minister has placed legacy issues from the Troubles and regional security firmly back on the political agenda.

Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA, accompanied by Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, met Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee TD on Monday (February 9) in what he described as a “constructive but firm” introductory discussion covering defence concerns, legacy matters and the future functioning of Northern Ireland’s institutions.

Speaking after the engagement, Mr Burrows said the meeting represented an important opportunity to establish working relations while addressing areas of disagreement between Belfast and Dublin.

“Today’s meeting with Ireland’s Helen McEntee was a welcome introductory engagement for us both,” he said.

“It was constructive but firm, as we acknowledged that while we may not agree on everything, it is important to maintain good working relationships. I took the opportunity to emphasise that we are a committed partner for constructive work in the interests of Northern Ireland, and I stated that it was vital that both the UK and Irish Governments work cooperatively to ensure Northern Ireland citizens in the Middle East are kept safe.”

Defence and security concerns raised

During the meeting, the Ulster Unionist delegation pressed the Irish Government on defence capabilities and regional security, particularly around maritime protection.

“Steve and I pressed Helen McEntee on a number of challenges affecting good relations across these islands,” Mr Burrows said.

“We held a candid discussion on the need for the Irish Government to step up to the mark on security, particularly maritime interests that affect us all. Ireland can no longer rely solely on the Royal Navy to protect its waters and key infrastructure. It was encouraging to hear the Minister’s commitment to strengthening defence capabilities and working more closely with the UK and Europe.”

Stormont reform discussed

The conversation also touched on potential reform of the Northern Ireland Assembly, with the UUP leader emphasising that any institutional changes should remain a matter for Northern Ireland’s political parties.

“We made clear our desire to see institutional and operational reform of Stormont, in order to make our Assembly more effective,” Mr Burrows said.

“However, we firmly stressed that this is a Strand One issue to be discussed and resolved by Northern Ireland’s political parties alone.”

Legacy issues remain a major point of tension

Much of the discussion focused on unresolved legacy issues from the Troubles, which Mr Burrows described as the “single greatest area of grievance” between the UK and Ireland.

He said he raised recent comments by former Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell concerning an alleged “de facto Troubles amnesty”.

“I also underlined the need for honesty from the Irish Government regarding its role in the Troubles, including recent claims by Michael McDowell of a de facto Troubles amnesty,” Mr Burrows said.

“The Irish Government must clarify whether this is true or not, and I will be formally writing to Minister McEntee demanding details of this alleged amnesty. Legacy remains the single greatest area of grievance between our two countries. Many victim families have empty chairs because of the actions of Irish citizens who launched attacks from the Republic.”

Calls for greater cooperation on investigations

Mr Burrows also called for stronger cooperation between Irish investigative bodies and UK authorities in legacy investigations.

“I pressed Minister McEntee for assurances that Irish investigatory units will fully cooperate with UK authorities,” he said.

“What is happening at present is not cooperation but frustration. It is also time for the Irish Government to do more on legacy. Dublin has consistently taken the position that the Troubles were nothing to do with them and that it was up to the UK Government to pursue truth, justice, and accountability for the many thousands killed or injured.”

He argued that the Irish Government has not established mechanisms capable of addressing legacy issues relating to the conflict.

“The Irish Government has established no legacy mechanisms that would deliver truth, justice, or accountability.”

Mr Burrows added that longstanding allegations about the Republic’s role during the Troubles must also be addressed.

“Yet we know that the Irish Government was complicit in aspects of the Troubles: their territory was used as a safe haven by terrorists who maimed and murdered UK citizens; there are long standing allegations of assistance with arms in the early 1970s; and we know they actively prevented the extradition of terrorists wanted in the UK, with a 97% failure rate.”

He also criticised the expected timeline for Irish legislative proposals dealing with legacy matters.

“More must be done, and the fact that the Heads of Bill on legacy will not be presented to the Dáil until late April or May is simply unacceptable.”

Despite the disagreements, Mr Burrows said he remains committed to ongoing dialogue with the Irish Government.

“As ever, I want to be a good neighbour, and I look forward to further constructive engagement with Minister Helen McEntee and her colleagues in the near future.”

At a glance

• Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA and Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA met Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee TD.

• The meeting covered defence concerns, legacy issues from the Troubles and possible reform of Stormont institutions.

• Burrows raised concerns about Ireland’s maritime security and called for stronger defence cooperation with the UK and Europe.

• The UUP leader said Stormont reform should remain a matter for Northern Ireland’s political parties under Strand One arrangements.

• Legacy issues were a central focus, with Burrows calling for clarity from Dublin over claims of a “de facto Troubles amnesty”.

• He also pressed for greater cooperation between Irish investigatory bodies and UK authorities on legacy investigations.

• Burrows said he intends to formally write to the Irish Foreign Minister seeking further details on legacy matters.