Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Broughan for the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I support the proposal put forward today by the leader of the Labour Party, Deputy Rabbitte, to have an independent legal person look at the new evidence, the flawed assumptions that underpin the previous inquiry, the testimony of records and so on. There is no doubt that new experts have cast doubt on the sequence of events as set out in the original tribunal. I do not question the bona fides of the Taoiseach in this matter. As he said, he is not a forensic expert and he is trying to facilitate a detailed review of this evidence. However, I believe he is taking on himself a judgment that should not be taken by a politician. We need an independent legal expert to make the final judgment on the need for further investigation in identifying the causes that need to be studied and the questions that need to be answered before relatives can be satisfied. I congratulate the Taoiseach on the interest he has taken in this matter. However, it is not he who should be carrying out the investigation and making the judgment on these issues.

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