Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion. Although I do not like delving into history — I believe we should live in the present and not in the past — there must be closure on certain matters. I have in mind the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings — I knew many of the Monaghan victims personally — the situation in Belturbet, Castleblayney and the recent Omagh bombing. These events wreaked havoc on our island home and everybody wants to move forward from them.

The savage death of two policemen doing their daily work cannot be forgotten. The fact that they were ambushed and then blown to bits by gunfire is something we wish to forget. If there is doubt about why and how this happened, it is important there is a full investigation, which is also true of the Pat Finucane case and other cases. These were not just two policemen but two family men. They were simply doing a job. It was a job they undertook when they left school or college. Many people in the police forces North and South joined the forces at a time when other jobs were not plentiful. It was wrong to pinpoint them as criminals or people who should be murdered.

Some people ask me what I have done for the peace process. I did not take part in or support this type of criminal activity. I tried to work behind the scenes through farm organisations, the co-operative movement and other organisations throughout the Thirty-two Counties. I make no apologies for saying that. I try to build bridges between the different communities. Many worked in ways that were not as high flying as others claim. I want to see peace on this island and I want to see the people living and working together.

We must consider how this happened and the Minister spelt it out clearly in his speech. The location of the ambush on the Edenappa road was found by Judge Cory to be well chosen in terms of topography and tree cover with respect to nearby British army observation posts. This was a well planned ambush and the only intention was to murder these two RUC officers. Many other RUC officers died from cancer and other related illnesses because of the pressure under which they worked at that time. I had relatives in that category.

From a review of the relevant factors, Judge Cory states that there may not be Garda involvement. However, it is important that such an issue be cleared and Fine Gael supports the setting up of this tribunal to that end. Nonetheless, we do not want this to be a gravy train. Too many tribunals have been set up in this House and have become gravy trains for barristers, solicitors and so on. We do not want that and there must be a limitation on funds. Otherwise, tribunals will continue to bring a bad name on this House. If they cost a great amount of money and seem to continue indefinitely, that is no good. We want tribunals tied down to do their job properly at minimum cost.

It is important that we get our thoughts together. There is no point in saying that we will support this unless we make sure that those that have the evidence actually provide it. Other reports and tribunals have been set up in Northern Ireland and some of the people that demanded them refused to give evidence because it did not suit them. The British authorities, the Irish Government and especially the Provisional IRA must give the evidence. Otherwise, there is no point in issuing statements claiming to be opposed to criminality and so on. Now that people have been given the opportunity in this tribunal to come forward and give the evidence on what happened, they must do so. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the tribunal to reach a conclusion. If we do not have a conclusion, then we will not have closure.

Closure is so very important. Over the years, I have dealt with the Coulson family in Clones, where my late colleague, Senator Willie Fox was murdered. The thing that still rankles with that family is the lack of closure and the lack of support from the State. George Coulson's wife passed away this year from cancer. They have lived with a trauma over the past 30 years that no one will ever understand. As I already said, it is not just about the two RUC officers who died in this case, but it is also about what their families have had to endure since then. The Minister mentioned the Gibson case in his speech. As it happens, I know close contacts of that family. They were murdered because of who they were and what they represented.

It is important that we find out why Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Robert Buchanan were murdered in 1989. They were murdered in an ambush that may or may not have been leaked to the Garda Síochána. It is important that the Garda Síochána be cleared of that. I do not know whether the terms of reference of the tribunal are available, but we must get it right. We must deal with this issue properly so that the victims can have closure. I commend the Minister on setting up the tribunal. As he knows from last night, I do not always agree with him, but that is a different story.

Deputy Ó Caoláin and I have a good relationship on a personal basis and I have nothing against him. However, the Provisional IRA and Sinn Finn Féin must be up front on this, as it is part and parcel of the overall peace process agreed in Weston Park. There is no point in coming out with statements claiming to want to end criminality. Actions speak louder than words. I want to see peace work. At a recent meeting on peace issues, I pointed out that the project to develop the Ulster canal along the Border, which has the support of all political parties, is now being held up due to the fact that the Northern Ireland Assembly is not in action. The sooner we can get the peace process going properly, the better for all of us on this island.

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