Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If it is helpful in that regard, our committee unanimously wrote to and called on the Government to take that interstate case. Clearly, there is a due process within government. I recognise the fact Mr. Finucane spoke about the date in November and the Government statement. The timeline is very short. We would be very happy, if the committee agrees following this meeting, to urge the Government to actually take that case.

The key point is this. Although the present UK Government is pushing the legislation, I am not clear whether the Labour Party will abolish it entirely. If I am right, and this is the key point, it is talking about the restoration and continuation of civil cases, or the civil part of the legislation, which would be denied to people. That relates to having an investigation in the form of a coroner's inquest, in addition to restoring some independence as to whether there would be a prosecution. I do not know whether that is correct. It is very important, however, that we articulate to the UK Labour Party and other opposition parties in Westminster exactly what the future might be in respect of this, if they are in power.