Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. A number of weeks I proposed that the committee ask groups to attend and make presentations. I am glad that my suggestion was unanimously accepted.

I compliment all of the witnesses on their presentations. Ms Mullen Fox and Ms Morgan have been exceptionally brave in discussing their particular circumstances and the tragedies experienced by both of their families. Recently I spoke with Ms Morgan's brother in Newry, on the subject of her brother's disappearance, so I am familiar with the details. I also heard Ms Mullen Fox make an outstanding presentation in Armagh recently. At the same meeting, Mr. Seamus Mallon, a very distinguished former parliamentarian and a great Irishman, gave a powerful presentation on the terrible tragedies that occurred in the area. He clearly stated who was responsible for the murders perpetrated in a triangle of areas.

Politicians, in general, have very good reasons not to praise the media. Earlier Ms Morgan referred to the powerful BBC-RTE documentary called "The Disappeared" which did a good public service. Similarly, the same applies to Anne Cadwallader's book which is extremely important. I do not think any of us have the words to give full vent to the anger and sorrow we all have regarding the tragedies that were inflicted on so many families. It is very important that the issues are kept to the fore as much as possible. Today's presentations are important and outline the need for people with any information to come forward and give it to the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. Last night I spoke to Mr. Frank Murray who is the Irish commissioner, one of two in the organisation. He and his fellow commissioner colleague are determined to do everything that they can to progress the search for bodies and have been relentless in performing that task.

I am very familiar with the commission's work because its first commissioner was the late Tánaiste, John Wilson. John and I were very close political colleagues and personal friends. Deputy Joe O'Reilly was also a personal friend of John Wilson. I knew when the commission's work started how difficult it was going to be. It was the first time that the families of the victims had been spoken to or listened to, in any respect. John Wilson often gave me an outline of the issues that had been brought to his attention and the undemanding requests made by the families. He spoke only in general terms. He never put the matter on record and never spoke to me in specific details about a family or needs of the families. The message was always given that all the bereaved families wanted was to learn the location of the remains in order to give their loved ones a decent and proper burial, have a place to leave flowers and say a prayer. That is very undemanding coming from families who have lost people in the most horrific circumstances. It is horrific for anyone who must bear the burden and experience the tragedy of a murder. It is an added and particular cruelty to not know the burial place of loved ones.

I am sure that all of the committee members would be unanimous and call for persons with any bit of information to give it to the independent commission. That piece of information could be important. Time is against everybody who must deal with the issue because memories fade as every day passes. Perhaps the terrain will have changed due to farm work or access roads being improved or disimproving. All of those matters make the necessary task of locating the remains more difficult by the day.

The witnesses have been very brave to outline the tragedies that have afflicted on their families in a public forum and with no closure. I know the phrase "no closure" is not the best phrase but I hope that the witnesses will understand the context. In this country we have a ritual of giving a person a decent burial, allowing people a time to grieve and having a place to say a prayer and lay flowers. The families of the disappeared have been denied that ritual. The issue is very important. I had a special debate on the issue in the Dáil where the Minister for Justice and Equality assured me that every resource would be given to the independent commission. The witnesses can be assured of that and it has the support of all political parties.

Ms Peake mentioned issues that arise today such as the threats made by so-called dissidents, or people who class themselves as dissidents. There does not seem to be a structure to deal with such threats. I ask her to elaborate on what she meant. If I understood Ms McCallan correctly, a strong theme ran through her contribution whereby the lack of information continues to inflict pain on people. I know the work done by both of the organisations and there are many individuals who support them. I wish them well in a very difficult task.