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

I thank Cathaoirleach. Has there been any opportunity to engage with people at a political level in Britain or with some of the human rights advocacy groups there? Thankfully, Mr. Starmer, the leader of the British Labour Party, has come out against the present legacy legislation. This was a change from the initial position adopted by some of his party colleagues and this is a welcome development. It is very important in this context if there is an opportunity in this regard. I again compliment anybody who makes any effort to deal with the issues of reconciliation. The legacy issues are extremely important.

Regarding what is on the public record, information was provided to me from the University of Nottingham which I put on the record of Dáil Éireann and which has helped to give momentum to an investigation into the Belturbet bombing of more than 50 years ago. This information all came through research done in the National Archives in London on the different departments and statutory agencies in Britain. The point made in this regard was relevant to the information provided to me and which I was then able to put on the record of the Dáil. This had not been in the public domain previously. It is also an important point.