Victims and survivors of the Troubles must be given time to consider the terms of any British-Irish deal on new legacy arrangements for Northern Ireland before the governments seek to deliver them, the Tánaiste will say later.
In a speech to be delivered to the British Irish Association Conference in Oxford this evening, Simon Harris confirms that progress is being made on a framework agreement between the two governments.
But he says people must be given time to consider what is produced before the governments move to act.
The Tánaiste's comments echo remarks made by Northern Secretary Hilary Benn to MPs in London earlier this week when he talked about the progress that had been achieved in negotiations.
Mr Benn said the two governments were close to a deal.
Mr Harris will say that both governments are of the view that the controversial Legacy Act, passed by the previous Tory administration in the UK, "is not fit for purpose".
It shut down access to the courts for families pursuing justice in Troubles cases and offered a conditional immunity from prosecution for those involved in violence.
'Pursuit of justice and of truth'
Mr Harris will tell his audience that the new legacy framework will draw on longstanding and agreed principles of promoting reconciliation, upholding the rule of law and facilitating the pursuit of justice and of truth.
Any new mechanisms will have to be human rights compliant, transparent and in line with the European Convention of Human Rights.
Ireland is currently taking an interstate case against the UK at the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds that the existing Legacy Act is in breach of the convention.
"Reformed legacy mechanisms must be capable of securing the confidence of those most affected: victims, survivors, and their families," Mr Harris will say.
"That confidence cannot and will not be secured immediately, simply on the basis of a written framework. The reformed mechanisms will have to demonstrate that they can deliver for people."
Mr Harris will say that the protections afforded by the European Convention on Human Rights are fundamental to the delicate balance of Northern Ireland's peace agreement and "cannot be negotiated away".
Immunity clauses to be removed from Legacy Act
Mr Benn has already promised legislation to remove immunity clauses in the Legacy Act, restore access to the civil courts and restart legacy inquests where matters of national security are not in question.
But he has faced significant criticism for his insistence that an investigative body set up under the Legacy Act be retained.
Under his plan the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery will remain the principle vehicle for families seeking information about the murder of their loved ones, or prosecutions if sufficient evidence can be secured.
Mr Harris will say that in his discussions with victims, their families and their representatives about the ICRIR the same issues came up over and over again.
These included the need for independent oversight, for effective representation for victims and families; for a robust conflict of interest policy covering its investigators.
He will say there also needs to be a "complete overhaul" of disclosure arrangements so that families can get the "maximum possible information", and that there should be a separate cross-border information recovery body as envisaged in earlier agreements.
He will also say that the Irish government will also deliver on a Programme for Government pledge to comprehensively address the legacy of the past in the Republic too.
"There's a lot in that. I know it will take time to absorb, most specifically for the survivors, families and victims for whom getting this right is so very important.
"And I know that we need to allow sufficient space for people to consider it, and interrogate it, and question it, and express their views on it before either government moves definitively to act.
"We owe that to everyone, from every background and community, who want - and deserve - to be sure that this deal can deliver answers for them and their families.
Independent expert to be appointed
The Tánaiste will also say that the two governments will move later this month to appoint an independent expert who will assess whether paramilitary organisations still in existence in Northern Ireland can be persuaded to disband.
The expert will be asked to report back within 12 months on whether there is merit in setting up a process to encourage it.
The Irish government has supported the proposal for a number of years and the British authorities have now agreed to it.
Mr Harris will say he understands that not everyone supports the proposal and many oppose it.
But he will say that it may finally help end the scourge of paramilitarism in Northern Ireland, so many years after the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
