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

I thank Ms Caroline Dwyer for her very comprehensive report on the awful murder of her innocent son. She delivered her very comprehensive report, which must have been exceptionally difficult for her, in a very composed manner. When I had the opportunity to meet with her and Ms Heaney last summer, I mentioned that we would afford them the opportunity to come before the committee at a time that suited them to ensure that the committee, along with all Members of the Oireachtas, would do everything we could to try to assist and ensure that the truth would be discovered. The committee met with Mr. Pat Bourne, head of consular services in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We told him at the time that we would be meeting with Ms Dwyer and Ms Heaney and that we would afford them the opportunity to make a presentation to the committee. We will be very pleased to follow up the proposals they put to the committee and to support them. We want the basic truth to be found and for the Bolivian authorities to co-operate. I propose to the committee that we will again meet with senior officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and make sure we are not at cross purposes in terms of the Department's own work but that we will work in conjunction with it. The witnesses will have the full support of the committee in whatever way we can to support them in getting to the truth. I invite members to comment or ask questions.