Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will come to the legislation shortly. In terms of the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement, we amended the Constitution, particularly at Article 29.8, where a new section was introduced stating: "The State may exercise extra-territorial jurisdiction in accordance with the generally recognised principles of international law." In that context, I ask that every effort be made to pursue the case of the murder of Jean McConville and that all involved should be in a position to co-operate fully and honestly with the Garda, as well as with the PSNI, so the remaining bodies can be located.

The programme for Government, on page 17, under the title "Victims Rights", states: "We will enact legislation to strengthen the rights of victims of crime and their families, to ensure that victims and their needs are at the heart of justice process and that rights to information, advice and other appropriate assistance are met effectively and efficiently." I would appreciate if the Taoiseach could indicate where lie the legislative proposals in regard to that commitment in the programme for Government. In particular, I ask if he would accept there is a crying need, in the context of last night's programme and the issues it revealed, to ensure that the victims and their needs are at the heart of what we do in this jurisdiction, particularly given that the body of Jean McConville was found in this jurisdiction and that crimes were committed within this jurisdiction which need to be pursued vigorously-----

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