Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)

I thank Deputy Costello for sharing time. The sisters of Winnie Brady also spoke to me and are absolutely distraught eight weeks after the disappearance and loss of their sister. This is an appalling nightmare for them. I ask either of the Ministers of State present in the Chamber, Deputies Conor Lenihan and Michael Ahern, to meet the sisters and other relatives of Winnie Brady to listen to their concerns at first hand. The Ministers of State would be moved by how the relatives feel.

They strongly believe the search in Medjugorje has been inadequate thus far and that more must be done. They are fearful of a local cover-up designed to prevent a negative impact on tourism in that area. As the Minister of State is aware, many thousands of Irish tourists travel to the region. I join the call that the Army and Garda personnel already stationed in Bosnia might work with the local authorities to carry out a thorough search. The relatives of Winnie strongly believe the search thus far has simply been inadequate and has not extended to the requisite areas.

As Deputy Costello noted, there have also been rumours of other disappearances and of the presence of a serial killer in the area. In his contacts with the local authorities in Medjugorje and Bosnia, has the Minister for Foreign Affairs established whether this is the case? If so, it chimes with the views of some of the relatives that there may have been a local cover-up because of the consequential negative impact on tourism.

Above all, the sisters and relatives do not want this matter to be swept under the carpet. They will not allow it to go away and intend to campaign until Winnie is found and the truth is established. As local representatives, Deputy Costello and I insist that everything possible should be done to help the relatives in their search. They require greater action, greater openness from the authorities here, to assure them the search is not over and that——

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