Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann has wondered where the Irish government’s own legislation is for dealing with the Troubles.

He was speaking as MPs debate the Labour government's Northern Ireland Troubles Bill in the House of Commons.

Before the debate had got under way, the UUP had indicated that it will not support it in its current form.

Robin Swann said that he intends to submit nine amendments to the bill because it "currently falls short".

placeholder image — Two soldiers on guard at the scene of a booby-trap bomb in Londonderry in 1988, targeting the security forces, that killed two civilians; the government's Troubles proposals are now under debate

He added: "I have grave concerns that the Irish Government has yet to bring forward any legislation to address its responsibilities under the joint framework.

"Progress on legacy must be concurrent in both Dublin and London if it is to command the confidence of victims and survivors."

He also said: "Regrettably, this bill will not receive the usual level of parliamentary scrutiny.

"Instead of going to a Public Bill Committee, it will be considered by a Committee of the Whole House.

"This means MPs will not have the time or structure required to examine the Bill with the depth and detail it deserves.

"For this reason, I will be voting against the Bill today at its Second Reading."

The Alliance Party (which has one MP, Sorcha Eastwood) released a statement from Paula Bradshaw MLA saying: “In a number of areas, the government’s new legacy legislation is a notable improvement on the callous approach taken by the previous Conservative administration.

“We particularly welcome removal of the Troubles amnesty, resumption of inquests, and the range of confidence-building measures in the design and conduct of legacy investigations, and we hope these measures will provide some degree of comfort to victims and survivors."

But she said "the continued existence of a national security veto over the disclosure of sensitive information to families also remains a significant problem", adding: "The parameters of this veto are incredibly broad, and so long as it remains within the legacy infrastructure, there will be a fear of some actors being granted a status above the law."

She also said any new measures have to be properly funded.

Kenny Donaldson, of the Troubles victims group SEFF, said that "anything short of the Irish state contributing on an equal footing to the UK state with comparable oversight and independence structures would not be tolerable," adding: “We are underwhelmed by what has been committed to by the Irish government."

He said: "We have been pressing and will continue to press the Irish government for further detail and absolute clarity on their position and how this reflects in actual actions.

"We need the UK state to belatedly stand up for the rights and needs for its own citizens - to stop being neutral or even a panderer to the demands of others without insisting for reciprocity."

On prosecutions of veterans, Mr Donaldson said: "We are opposed to the persecution of those members of the security forces previously exonerated through various investigations.

"There must be no further state complicity with the retrospective targeting and vilification of those who acted to thwart terrorism, and ultimately to save lives."

SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP said in a statement: “The SDLP believes the legacy legislation before the House of Commons today is imperfect, but it gives us the best opportunity for dealing with our past.

"It is our intention to address our concerns through amending the current legislation, but it is crucial that it stays true to the framework agreed by the UK and Irish governments.”