Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The anniversary of that tragic night is a week away and the thoughts of all are with the families of those killed or injured in the Stardust tragedy. As we approach the 25th anniversary of a terrible night, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform understands the families' concerns regarding the background, and his Department has been working with and assisting the families in a number of ways. The Government is prepared to continue that help. Officials in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform recently met representatives of the Stardust victims committee, one of a series of meetings held with that committee.

The committee also forwarded a report prepared on its behalf to the Garda Commissioner and the Garda forensic science laboratory. I know the Commissioner and the laboratory responded that the report contained no new evidence. I can confirm to the House that the Garda concluded that no new evidence was forthcoming which would warrant it revisiting the investigation and it was considered that all the matters raised were adequately addressed at the time. I understand this information was given to the Stardust victims committee. Any further submissions the committee might wish to make will be carefully examined by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The Deputy mentioned counselling and other issues. I understand they are being dealt with on an ongoing basis. Parliamentary questions have been asked but there is no need to go through them. Obviously, since the Stardust tragedy — as we have seen internationally — there have been two not unrelated issues. It is always a concern that these kinds of events and tragedies like them can happen in different ways. Most of the recommendations following the Stardust tragedy — I am reading from a note from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government — go through all of the areas, such as investment, infrastructure, equipment, better training and communications, legislation and other issues. The facts about what happened are there.

I do not want to mix the two issues. It is a particularly difficult time for the families. I have received communications from some members of the groups while other members take different views. However, they are communicating with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I do not want to read off a list of the significant amount of investment in staff, fire and ambulance services in respect of these issues.

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