Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy speaks as though he is not aware of what has been going on over the past long period. What Prime Minister Blair and the Secretary of State stated was that they do not intend changing the Inquiries Act. Our position at every level, such as through the motion passed in this House, our position at meetings over the past year or year and a half with the British Government and in the United States and through a range of other civil rights groups and other groups, is that we oppose that position.

The Secretary of State has written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and the Minister has replied to that letter within recent days. It comes down to the basic issue that the inquiry under the UK Inquiries Act 2005 will not be regarded as fully independent. That is the view we, all those who support our view, and the House stated. To make it clear and simple, the reason for that view is that under the new legislation the responsible Minister, not the chair, maintains significant control over the inquiry. For example, no matter how good the judge would be in carrying out the inquiry, he or she might see restricted material but could not use it, publish it or show it to the family or lawyers.

It is our view and that of the family, civil rights groups and Deputy Higgins that this is clearly not covered in what we set out to get, which was a full, independent, public judicial inquiry. That is the position and as of now, I can give the House no comfort. There is no question of diplomatic niceties. This has been raised at endless meetings which have been far from diplomatic niceties. The British Government will not change.

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