Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Finucane and all of our witnesses for their comprehensive and thought-provoking presentations. Before I open up the meeting to questions from members, it is important that I clarify that the issue of Article 2, taken in conjunction Article 1, does not only pertain to deaths at the hands of State agents and so on but to all deaths in suspicious circumstances. This is really important in terms of the current debate in Ireland. For example, an independent review panel of barristers is currently examining more than 300 allegations of Garda malpractice. In fairness, a section of them may not amount to anything but we are all mindful that a number of them relate to deaths, in respect of which families feel they were failed in terms of the investigative procedures. This is a big deal in terms of families and their access to justice and a judicial system that works and leads to them having the answers they require.