Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)

I wish to share time with Deputy Crowe.

There is general agreement in this House that it is necessary to arrive at the truth of this case. I share Deputy Costello's concern that the Dáil is limited in altering the terms of reference put before it. While the terms are general and deal with most of the issues to be uncovered, there are other issues about which the House and society need to be better informed. The Minister might take that into account when putting the formal terms of reference before the House.

I have reservations about the failure of the Garda Síochána to complete this investigation and find the person who committed these vile murders. That repeats a pattern of miscarriage of justice throughout our recent history. It seems that when the State tries to establish the truth of certain matters some members of the Garda Síochána would prefer not to allow the appalling vista to be revealed. Instead, those originally named carry the implication of guilt. We still do not know what happened in the Kerry babies case, or the Sallins mail robbery.

Establishing a commission that will not resolve that level of implication perpetuates a miscarriage of justice. I appeal to the Minister when putting together the formal terms of reference, to dispel those clouds of ambiguity.

We should not deal with these issues on a piecemeal, case by case, basis. Other speakers have already said we need a police complaints procedure that commands public confidence. We on this side of the House do not believe the complaints structure presented by the Minister and included in legislation will adequately address this problem. The House wants to ensure this commission is allowed to do its job properly and uncovers the truth we need to hear and that this will be acted upon. It might be a template for future commissions on future miscarriages of justice, and inspire confidence among the Members of this House and those we represent.

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