Simon Coveney: We'll not support special measures for British soldiers; no deviation from Stormont House Agreement

"In terms of the issues the UK Government has raised today about the treatment of British military veterans, our position is again clear. There should be effective investigations into all Troubles-related deaths, regardless of the perpetrator.

"We would not support a proposal to introduce any special measure or treatment, regarding investigation of state or non-state actors in Northern Ireland," he said.

Mr. Coveney was responding to the Secretary of State Brandon Lewis's confirmation on Wednesday that he would be introducing legislation to ensure "that Northern Ireland veterans receive equal treatment to their counterparts who served overseas" and delivers on the Conservative Party promise of ending "vexatious claims against veterans".

The Tánaiste said that any move to deviate from what was agreed in the international Stormont House Agreement, to which Dublin and London are co-signatories, would be challenged.

"The rule of law and the protections afforded by the European Convention on Human Rights must apply equally to everyone and must be upheld, and this principle is at the core of the Stormont House framework.

"Victims and survivors have had to wait for far too long for a suitable and effective system in Northern Ireland to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.

"The Government is ready to engage and work with the UK Government and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive in partnership on this very important issue in the period immediately ahead.

"I will be speaking to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on this issue to discuss next steps.”