Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The point to where it has brought us is unsatisfactory. The Secretary of State, Peter Hain, told me on Thursday that he was going ahead with his inquiry and that they are seeking a venue. I am told they have a venue for the autumn. They are also seeking a judge. I understand from international connections that they are having great difficulty getting a judge. The legal world has been quite active in putting out reasons a judge should not take up the position. I have been trying to help in doing that too. That is the position.

Unfortunately, the position on this one is that neither of us can move. I talked to the collective group dealing with the Prime Minister on this issue. I cannot move because I cannot honestly say, and we have been through this with the finest legal people, that it is a full, independent or public judicial inquiry because a judge in this case could have his hands tied as the Minister has the responsibility. That is the unfortunate situation. If they want to go ahead, I cannot stop them but it will be with the opposition of effectively everybody. Judge Cory has recently restated his position; it is not just a case of what he said at the time. At this stage the Government, the Dáil, the human rights groups, the international legal profession, Judge Cory and the Finucane family are calling for this but the British Government is not indicating any movement.

To answer the Deputy's straight question, they are saying they are going ahead. If they do, no matter what they come up with, and I have had to listen to people saying it will take five years to do it and it will cost €50 million, nobody will ever believe it, at least none of the people we must try to represent. Perhaps some people in the United Kingdom will believe it, although I have my doubts about that too, especially where the legal profession is concerned.

I received the Deputy's letter. Earlier in the year I got my officials to meet that brave father. I am meeting him tomorrow with his representatives. As he has pointed out, he used always to believe that collusion was on the Nationalist side, but as I believe he explained to the Deputy, there appears to be considerable collusion in his case. I will meet him tomorrow, as the Deputy requested of me.

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