3rd Special Report - The Government’s new approach to addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland: Government Response

This is the government's response, published 12 February 2026.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government responds to the Committee's recommendations on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill by stating that the Bill will deliver "the necessary reform of the Commission", while saying it will keep engaging and consider improvements as the Bill progresses.

• On a statutory ECHR-compliance requirement, the government says that putting such a requirement in primary legislation for a specific function is "unnecessary", because the Commission will be subject to section 6 of the Human Rights Act.
• On information disclosure, the government says it "does not intend to introduce a merits-based appeal" against ministerial decisions, citing the primacy of the Executive in decisions on the security of the State.
• On the definition of "close family member", the government says it believes the current approach is "balanced", while recognising "different views" and saying it "will continue to engage and carefully consider these".
• On veterans, the government will "not, therefore, accept any proposals" to reintroduce the Legacy Act's immunity provisions, but is giving "careful consideration" to additional measures that must be practically deliverable and human rights compliant.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error