Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together.

The Government continues to support a full independent public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane. We have made clear that we want to see the standard agreed at Weston Park, and set by Judge Cory, adhered to. We continue to share the concern of the Finucane family, and indeed of Judge Cory, that the new Inquiries Act, under which the British Government intends to have the Finucane case investigated, will not meet these standards. We have raised these concerns directly with the British Government.

The Government welcomes the motion in this case, passed unanimously by the House on 8 March. I have met the Finucane family on many occasions. Most recently, I met Geraldine Finucane and other family members during my visit to the United States. I had a more detailed meeting with the family on 27 February in Dublin, prior to the recent debate in the House. I have on all occasions assured Mrs. Finucane of my firm support for their efforts to achieve the full truth concerning this disturbing case.

I discussed the Pat Finucane case with a number of Senators and Congressmen on Capitol Hill last week. It is clear that the Finucane family also has considerable support there and that the concerns of this House are widely shared in Washington.

I also raised the Finucane case at my meeting last week with President Bush. The US Administration has an ongoing interest in this case and I briefed the President on the current situation. I particularly thanked the President for raising the matter with Prime Minister Blair following our meeting last year.

While in Washington, I also briefly discussed this case with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State. I told him that there continued to be fundamental concerns regarding the proposed inquiry and that we remained fully supportive of the Finucane family.

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