Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

As I said in my initial response to Deputy Kenny, if information is deemed to be new information, it will be examined. The Minister has made that clear and I am doing so again. The Garda will revisit the investigation that was conducted if the information is new and warrants a re-examination of these matters. The information that was passed on was examined by the Department and especially by the Garda Commissioner and the forensic science laboratory, which employs people who are experts in this regard. They found that the information, which was previously available, was fully addressed by the tribunal at the time. If genuinely new information that stands up to scrutiny becomes available, it will be considered.

Deputy Kenny correctly pointed out that DNA technology has moved on significantly over the past quarter of a century. Substantial resources have been invested in this area over the past 25 years. New issues can be considered in the context of the Stardust tragedy. The issue of a new tribunal of inquiry or examination will not arise unless the information that comes to light is new and was not looked at by the tribunal of inquiry that produced a report at the time. We will see what is made available. The Minister has met and worked with the committee that represents the families when issues have arisen in recent years. The Garda Commissioner and the forensic science laboratory have also worked with the group and will do so again if new issues arise.

See this speech in context