Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On the last occasion the Taoiseach answered questions on the Barron report, he indicated he would consult the Attorney General regarding whether a case could be brought and sustained at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Do I understand from his reply that he has not received that advice, though he believes the Attorney General has concluded his assessment, or is he aware of his outlook? If so, will a case be taken? On the downside, if a case is not taken, is the Taoiseach examining other international remedies whereby the Dublin-Monaghan bombings issue and the failures of the British Government can be addressed?

Does the Taoiseach recall that when the British Prime Minister rejected his call and that of the joint committee for a public inquiry, Mr. Blair said he had seen no evidence to support the charge of British collusion in the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 1974? Does he also recall that Prime Minister Blair said the material assessed by the Barron investigation was insufficient to indicate if senior members of the British forces were involved in the preparation or the execution of those horrific attacks in May 1974? Did the Taoiseach address Mr. Blair on those points when he last met him? Did the Taoiseach forcefully impress on him that Mr. Justice Barron found that the farm of RUC reservist, James Mitchell, played a significant part in the planning; that RUC and UDR members were involved in the preparations; that the British forces had good intelligence from the start on who was responsible; and that the chief suspects were closely linked to British intelligence and the RUC special branch? Mr. Justice Barron made significant findings and these are among the points he made.

Did the Taoiseach point out to Mr. Blair his hypocrisy in saying Mr. Justice Barron had an insufficient basis on which to make his judgments while, at the same time, he and his government steadfastly refused to fully co-operate with Mr. Justice Barron in making access open to him to all material held on file in the North of Ireland or Britain relevant to these events?

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