Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Yes. The resources were made available and are there for the use of the victims. We wish to use the fund for that purpose.

My use of the word "comprehensive" was based on a comprehensive examination of all the data available to Mr. Justice Barron in this jurisdiction and that were available from the British authorities as a result of our efforts over several years. We know there were some shortcomings in that regard and as I noted, to use Mr. McEntee's own words, he has assiduously followed up this matter to try to acquire that further information.

In so far as all of the data, information, documentation and interviewing of people are concerned, I am sure Mr. McEntee will give precise details as to who he has interviewed. In his second report, which was published today, he states that he has interviewed a large number of people. I cannot answer as to whether he interviewed former Ministers for Justice. However, I assume he has gone back over what he has determined to be an appropriate range of people. I can confirm that he has engaged with senior officials within my Department.

As I have stated, I have received advice from the Attorney General, as I promised both the joint committee and the Justice for the Forgotten group. He drew on the experience of a number of experts in the field of law in respect of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and efforts to go to the European Court with a successful case regarding the tragic events that happened more than three decades ago. The essence of his advice was that it would be extremely difficult for the Government to bring a successful case against the British Government in the European Court of Human Rights for the same reasons that were outlined in the judgment of the families who have already done this. I am aware that the Justice for the Forgotten group has failed to bring a successful case and I understand that the ruling went against it due to the lapse in time. That would also be a factor were we to try bringing a case. We are not in favour, nor is the Attorney General, of bringing a case we are not confident of winning. However, we will continue to explore every possible legal and political avenue open to us. In this regard, the Attorney General and his advisers are examining this matter. While I would rather not go into the details of the avenues being considered until they have been explored, we are looking at a number of ways in which we can follow this up.

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