The Irish and British governments are "absolutely on the same page" when it comes to addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland's past, the minister for justice has said.
Jim O'Callaghan was speaking after holding a one-hour meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, alongside Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee, at the Department of Justice in Dublin this afternoon.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Benn had said he would be pressing the Government on the "hugely important" issues of information sharing with the British government.
In Belfast in January, Ms McEntee said any significant changes to legislation linked to a joint UK-Irish framework on the Troubles must have the full agreement of both governments.
Her remark came after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated there may be new protections for military veterans.
The joint framework on legacy unveiled by Dublin and London last September outlined a range of measures and mechanisms for dealing with historical cases from the Northern Ireland conflict.
The framework included commitments to fundamentally reform the structures established by the last UK government's contentious Legacy Act, including the removal of a controversial provision that offered a form of conditional immunity to perpetrators of Troubles crimes.
"I just had a very positive meeting with the Secretary of State Hilary Benn. We had very broad discussions about ongoing security operations between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI.
"We also discussed the important legislation in respect of legacy and ensuring that the joint framework that was agreed by both governments previously is brought into effect in both houses of legislature.
"We have the joint framework that was agreed. I'm committed to ensuring that the joint framework is given effect.
"I know Secretary of State Benn is committed similarly. And what we want to ensure is that we can get the process of legacy inquiries up and running for the sake of families who have waited far too long for answers to questions," Mr O'Callaghan said following the meeting.
Watch: Jim O'Callaghan says Irish and UK governments on 'same page' on Troubles probe
Last December, Mr O'Callaghan secured Government approval for the priority drafting of a bill to enable the Government to assist the UK's Omagh bombing inquiry.
In April last year, the Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the inquiry team covering how sensitive information held in Irish archives might be supplied to the inquiry.
Speaking this afternoon, Mr O'Callaghan said he hoped to introduce the Omagh legislation to the Oireachtas next month.
"In respect of other legislation, I hope, in May, to be able to come to Government with heads of bills in respect of that and then start the process of drafting it.
"But obviously it's very much important, and I emphasised this to the Secretary of State this afternoon, that we get to see the UK legislation as well, because obviously the UK legislation is crucially important to this otherwise, very much encouraged by the commitment from the Secretary of State to ensure that that legislation would be put in place."
Asked about Mr Starmer's indication that there may be new protections for military veterans within the framework, Mr O'Callaghan said any protection that required will be there in terms of evidence being provided by individuals before inquiries set up by Irish law.
"But as much as is feasibly possible, the Irish Government will be encouraging individuals, whether they're from military intelligence or from An Garda Síochána, to provide information.
"Obviously, there may be circumstances where intelligence is sensitive and can't be disclosed, but there needs to be circumstances put in place to ensure that the inquiry itself can interrogate that," he added.
Additional reporting by PA
