Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I have answered questions in the House on this issue a number of times. In fairness, Deputies Rabbitte and Broughan, and other Members of the House, have raised it with me as well, including Members on my own side. Tonight is the anniversary of the fire of St. Valentine's Day of 1981 which resulted in 48 deaths and 200 people injured. It was an overwhelming tragedy which left an enduring mark on the city and a generation and certainly on a considerable number of people in Coolock and surrounding areas.

I have tried extremely hard in recent years, particularly in the past year, to try to progress this matter which dates back a quarter of a century. I met the Stardust Victims' Committee. I have had numerous contacts with it over the years through various groupings within the families affected and we discussed their concerns. There are two main issues. When I took up this matter last year they were to prepare a report and I was to have meetings with the group prior to the summer. Because the report was not ready the meeting was postponed to September which was six months later. I add this fact about when we received the documentation, for the benefit of Deputy Rabbitte.

The group focused on two issues, namely, the completion of the identification of the five young men interred together at Sutton and, second, they asked that the State would undertake a further inquiry into the cause of the fire. In close consultation with the bereaved families, we have embarked on a process which I hope will lead to the identification of the five victims following the exhumations last week and the taking of DNA samples from the victims and relatives. I am confident we will be able to provide identification of their lost members with certainty for the families in the coming months. This has been a difficult and protracted period. I thank everybody involved, especially the families, for their patience and assistance in the carrying out of this process.

In regard to the campaign for a new inquiry into the cause of the fire, we acknowledge the significant achievement of the families with their solicitor, Mr. Greg O'Neill, in compiling the report — Nothing but the Truth. It was indicated in December to the Stardust Victims' Committee that we would be satisfied to arrange for an independent and external examination of the submission by a person with suitable legal experience. I am not sure when, but this was an issue into which Deputy Rabbitte asked me to inquire in a debate in the House. Officials of my Department are engaged with the solicitor of the families to bring forward an appropriate procedure and timetable for the work.

If necessary, I will go into the detail of all that is involved but I do not think it is. However, if Deputy Rabbitte wishes, I will do so. The consideration of the submission received from the families will involve a careful examination of the several issues raised with regard to the original inquiry and the significance of certain scientific evidence that has been brought under review. This examination calls for a specialised and professional judgment. It is not a policy consideration.

Let me be clear about my position, I remember the horror of the events of that terrible night. I met many of the bereaved families on that night and over the years. I was the administrator in the Mater Hospital on-call that night. When we met in September, I told them I would support proposals for action that would offer significant prospects for success. This was the case with regard to the identification procedure for the five young men. Actions have followed swiftly, a process that is under way and moving to completion. The potential of a new inquiry was not evident to the same extent but I am satisfied enough to have the matter considered further and to offer support to the families in pursuing it. This includes helping them through the process of making legal arrangements.

I am confident that arrangements for the examination will be settled in the coming days. This will be followed quickly by the appointment of an examiner. I suggested an eminent person but this person was not satisfactory. We can reach agreement on this and on terms of reference. I am conscious of the anniversary of the tragedy and the intention to hold a vigil outside Leinster House tonight to remind us of the loss and the enduring concerns. I acknowledge that and sympathise with the families. We extend our deepest sympathies to those who suffered as a result of the Stardust disaster.

Some 26 years later, I do not wish to publish terms of reference that have not been agreed by the legal representatives. The terms of reference must concern the issues raised by the families and their interpretation of what happened. There is no new evidence, just a new interpretation.

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