Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I thank the Fine Gael Party for allowing me to speak first because I have another appointment. I asked to speak on this motion because I have a very personal association with the Stardust fire. At approximately 5.30 a.m. on the morning of 14 February 1981, I received my first telephone call telling me what had happened during the night. My company employed a large number of those who were caught up in the fire. I think particularly of the five employees we lost, all of whom I knew well and all of whose families I visited in the days following the fire.

David Morton was a potential manager. He had started at the bottom before moving quickly up the ranks of our Northside branch. I still remember the sadness of George O'Connor's parents when I met them in the days that followed his death. They could not understand it. He was an active young man who loved coming to work. Liam Dunne, who also worked in the supermarket and was popular with everybody, lost his life on that day as well. I particularly remember two sisters, Mary and Martina Keegan, who died in the fire and whose parents, having lost two girls, were later actively involved in the Stardust committees. Another of their daughters, who also worked for us, was seriously injured. I knew each of the five employees of my company who died in the fire very well.

After the Stardust tragedy, I was most impressed by the spirit of those who survived, some of whom sustained injuries when they went back into the fire to rescue people they did not know. I would particularly like to mention Jimmy Fitzpatrick, who was seriously injured in the fire as a young man. I cite him as a representative of many others who were not initially injured but received injuries when they went back into the Stardust to rescue other people. Mr. Fitzpatrick has had to live with his injuries since 1981. The spirit, personality and charm with which he accepted the change in his circumstances was an example to everybody else.

I have mentioned the names of some of the victims because their parents and those who survived, like many of us, were really concerned about the original report. The recent report, which ruled out arson as the probable cause of the fire, represents a victory for the families. I welcome the acknowledgement in the motion before the House that "the cause of the fire is unknown, the original finding of arson is a mere hypothetical explanation and is not demonstrated by any evidence and .... none of the persons present on the night of the fire can be held responsible for it". The Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, who has been heavily involved in pursing this matter, understands the importance of that statement. His father was similarly involved in this case in the years immediately following the fire. As the Minister of State is aware, the suggestion that somebody who was in the building may have purposely caused the fire was a source of huge upset to the families who had to live with it afterwards.

I welcome and support this motion. I agree that it should be publicised in the hope that it will help the families who have suffered such sadness over many years. I am pleased that the suggestion that the fire might have been caused by one of those who were inside the building has been put to rest. I thank the Minister of State for attending and for giving his attention to this. As regards the points he has made, let us ensure such an event never happens again.