The Irish National Caucus thanks and congratulates all the Members of Congress who wrote to  to Prime Minister Johnson

Posted By: September 17, 2021

Irish Congressional Briefing
Distributed to Congress by Irish National Caucus 
“The Irish National Caucus thanks and congratulates all the Members of Congress who wrote to 
to Prime Minister Johnson opposing the latest betrayal by the British government.
Ray O’Hanlon — a faithful and reliable chronicler of Irish-American issues—reports the story in the article below.
In particular, I want to congratulate Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA)—a valued Congressional Friend of the Irish National Caucus—and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick ( R-PA) for taking the lead in this “ Dear Colleague Letter” to Prime Minister Johnson. I am also delighted that one of the signers
is Congressman Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the full House Foreign Affairs Committee, who replaced
former Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), who also had an excellent record on justice and peace in Ireland. We are proud and honored that Congressman Meeks is also a long-time Congressional Friend of the Irish National Caucus, having signed up in a letter to me on May 5, 1999.
Indeed, many of the signers are Congressional Friends of the Irish National Caucus.
This is a link to the short social-media video —our thirtieth (#30) video— we sent around Congress 
FR. MCMANUS’ VIDEO ON AMNESTY FOR ENGLAND’S SOLDIERS
England’s latest act of bad faith and perfidy,” on September 7, 2021—YOUTUBE LINK–https://youtu.be/VcJyb1b-Tgg

For a copy of the script, click or insert into Browser:

 
All 30 videos were made to mark the 100th Anniversary of England’s “Partition Act,” enacted by the London Parliament, with the assent of the King of England, on December 23, 1920. And all the videos promote the “One Ireland Petition” of the Irish National Caucushttps://www.change.org/IrelandOneNation This splendid Petition has of this date been signed by over 28,400 people.”
—Fr. Sean McManus
 

Johnson Hears It From 35 Congress Members

Ray O’Hanlon.Irish Echo. Thursday, September 16, 2021

Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) have led a letter to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on British parliament to reaffirm its commitment to the Stormont House Agreement and reverse its decision to introduce new legislation that would modify legacy laws and institute a ban on legacy inquests and prosecution of former soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

The effort was joined by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe Chairman, William R. Keating, and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal who also chairs the Friends of Ireland in Congress.

In all, the letter has been signed to date by thirty House members from both parties.

“It is deeply disturbing to learn that British parliament is planning on reneging on its commitment to the Stormont House Agreement,” said Congressman Boyle.

“Such a move would not only prevent a pathway to justice for the bereaved of the conflict, but would also strip families of their legal rights protected under European Law and the Good Friday Agreement. To this day, nearly 1,700 conflict-related cases still await investigation.”

A release accompanying the letter stated that the British parliament had announced its plans to introduce legislation this fall that would mark an end to Troubles-related prosecutions.

“The proposed legislation, which would apply to former members of the security forces and to ex-paramilitaries, would essentially mark the end of future inquests and civil actions related to the conflict.” stated the release.

The release noted that “all five of Northern Ireland’s main political parties, along with the Irish government and numerous victims’ groups, have voiced strong opposition to this suggested blanket ban on prosecutions of Troubles-era offenses.