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

I welcome the presentations by Dr. Bryson, Professor McEvoy and Professor Morrow. They are stark and unfortunately present a very accurate picture of the position we are in. Professor Morrow's statement that after 20 years we must conclude that we have collectively and individually failed to take the Good Friday Agreement seriously is a fairly damning statement but unfortunately an accurate one. Dr. Bryson referred to omissions and to people mis-remembering. Professor Morrow said the supply of truth is even shorter on the ground. As time goes on, even when people want to tell the truth, memories can be dimmer because people's memories fade. They may not be as accurate as they wish they were. Every day that goes past it is getting more difficult to establish a just process in regard to legacy issues. In our last visit to the Wave trauma centre in Belfast we met victims and advocates for the victims. There are people there who have been without any proper appreciation of their huge injuries and suffering. They have had no proper health service, pensions or disability payments. It is absolutely appalling that for decades these people have suffered and continue to suffer. The one political mandate all of us in the 32 Counties have is to implement the Good Friday Agreement. It was endorsed by more than 94% of the people in our State and by more than 72% of the people in Northern Ireland. It was a huge political mandate for the people in public life, both North and South, to implement. I fear that as time goes on people, understandably, will become ever more disillusioned. The truth diminishes when the memories of people who want to be truthful fade. We had that discussion with the Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. Every day that goes by memories are lost and people pass away to their eternal reward. There are family members who will never see any truth or secure any justice for the loss or suffering of loved ones.

Dr. Bryson mentioned tragedies not being investigated in this jurisdiction. My colleague, Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, referred to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. I represent Cavan-Monaghan. What has happened is appalling. On three occasions, the Dáil unanimously passed motions calling on the British Government to give access to eminent international legal experts to all papers and files pertaining to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. Successive British Governments, to their eternal shame, have ignored the pleas of sovereign parliaments from a neighbouring jurisdiction. It is absolutely appalling that the British Government has treated these matters in this way. In my immediate area, a bombing resulted in the death of two young teenagers in Belturbet, County Cavan, in December 1972. There has been no co-operation from the authorities in Northern Ireland. People have pointed the finger at who was responsible for that carnage on that dreadful night.

On a day like this, I also want to remember Aidan McAnespie. My constituency colleague, Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, arranged for Aidan's father, John and two brothers, Vincent and Sean to make a presentation to us here today. There is unanimous agreement at the justice committee that a report that was carried out by Assistant Commissioner Crowley would be released to the family. There are many cases of justice being delayed for families and the truth being kept from them for decades. It is important that we reflect on the fact all of us are getting older by the day and people continue to suffer. It is an appalling situation.

With the political institutions not working in Northern Ireland, are the Fresh Start agreement and the Stormont House Agreement dormant for all intents and purposes? The witnesses have outlined the academic work and the work that has to go on alongside trying to implement the purpose of these agreements. In reality, is all of that dormant until we have institutions working again?