Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important meeting of our committee. Our job is to have oversight of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. We can make suggestions and proposals, and adopt motions such as today's motion. Senator Ó Donnghaile has unanimous support on the motion. As Deputy Brendan Smith said, it must be very traumatic for all Mr. Finucane's family, particularly his mother, for this not to be addressed appropriately by organs of the state which had all the so-called legitimacy of the state behind its actions.

While this committee has representatives from different parties, we all agree that truth and justice are an essential part of the healing of our island. As Mr. Finucane said, that truth and justice form part of finding a permanent solution to the problems. Deputy Mac Lochlainn rightly referred to atrocities on all sides. All murders were absolutely wrong. Violence on this island perpetrated by anybody is wrong. Particularly in this case, which is the subject of today's debate, it is absolutely unacceptable.

I also live in a Border constituency. As a young person, I remember the hooded bodies on the Border. I think of people like Jean McConville, who lay in an unmarked grave for over 30 years. Along with Mr. Finucane, the families of all those people who died as a result of the appalling tragedies that were visited upon them are entitled to their truth and justice. I wholeheartedly support the motion which is entirely appropriate, and we are unanimous on that. The committee should strive to have justice and truth for the Finucane family and for all the other families to give them closure. That is essential so that our island can move forward together. At Weston Park, the British and Irish Governments gave an absolute commitment that a public inquiry would take place, but it has not. Until it does, there cannot be justice. No exception can be made to an agreement that is written and that is committed to. Mr. Finucane has our absolute support in all that.