Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Like every other Member of the House, I share Deputy Kenny's views on the terrible tragedy that occurred in Firhouse yesterday. In these times, it is not often that an event absolutely shocks everybody, but we all feel for the families of those who died, as well as the extended family and the neighbourhood. It is something that has shocked everybody.

I think I speak for everyone in the House today when I say that our thoughts are with the families of those who died in the Stardust fire, which was one of the biggest tragedies in this country in modern times. People think of the victims at various times, such as anniversaries. That those who died were, as Deputy Kenny said, young people who were out for a night's entertainment at a disco made the tragedy all the more terrible. We think of them particularly today.

I do not want to get into an argument about who looked for a meeting or when they looked for one. My programme manager met the representatives of the families on foot of one particular request for a meeting, but I was not in attendance. I do not have a problem with meeting the families. I have met individual family members over the years at various events. It is clear from the submissions which were made to various inquiries which took place at the time that this is like many other cases. It has not been resolved because clear conclusions have not been reached. It is reminiscent of many events in Northern Ireland, for example, or the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. We all understand that the torment of victims' families continues if closure is not achieved.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has forwarded recent correspondence from the Stardust committee about the tragedy to the forensic science laboratory for its consideration. The Department will contact the members of the committee as soon as the laboratory's response to the most recent correspondence has been received. When the committee issued a report to the Department in 2004, it was forwarded to the Garda Commissioner and the laboratory, both of which advised the Department at that time that the report contained no new evidence. The Minister, Deputy McDowell, has said many times that the Department will assist the families in any way it can if new submissions or further information are received.

I understand that tonight's "Prime Time" will outline details of some new forensic evidence. If such information is passed on to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform by "Prime Time" or the Stardust committee, it will be examined fully. It is obvious that the Department will base its approach on the advice of the Garda Commissioner and the forensic science laboratory. That is where it opens. There was a public inquiry into all these matters. It is only on that basis that these matters could be opened up.

Today is a day for remembering those who died, were injured and were traumatised. Many people have lived for many years with multiple injuries. The Stardust tragedy has had devastating effects not only on the families who were affected but also on the extended community in the relevant areas of north Dublin.

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