Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Members of the community who co-operated explicitly requested anonymity and were given assurances in that regard. It is fair to say that many only co-operated with Deputy Commissioner Crowley on the strict understanding that their contributions would be confidential and that what they related was not going to be made public or passed on to others involved. I acknowledge the helpful suggestion the Deputy made some months ago that contact be made with the 40 or so witnesses, but it is not only about persons named in the report. Throughout the report, evidence given and information tendered refers to third parties and involves other people. This causes a difficulty with any publication. Looking back - and the Crowley report was compiled some years ago - there still remains a very heavy burden on Government and a very strict legal duty on the State that cannot be easily set aside or surmounted, even having regard to the changed circumstances and the passage of time. I say that against the background of my desire to be as open and helpful as possible. I will continue to engage with the Chair and with other parties in order to see how best we can deal with this vexed issue.