Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 11, inclusive, together.

Mr. Patrick MacEntee SC, QC, was appointed as sole member of a commission of investigation to examine specific matters relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974, including aspects of the Garda investigation and missing documentation. On 12 February last Mr. MacEntee wrote to my Department to inform me that he required further additional time to complete his work.

As Members will be aware, Mr. MacEntee has now sought eight extensions to his original timeframe. On each occasion, Mr. MacEntee informed me that additional time was required for him to deal properly and thoroughly with the issues under investigation by him. It seems clear from his interim reports that he has uncovered important information relating to his terms of reference. For that reason, it is important that he be allowed sufficient time to complete his work.

On this particular occasion, Mr. MacEntee has informed me that the commission has completed its investigative work and is in the final statutory stages of the investigation. The extension is required by the commission due to the need to take proper account of the statutory position and interests of persons and entities who assisted the commission during the investigation. This is essential work which Mr. MacEntee must carry out in order to comply with the Commissions of Investigation Act. The Act sets out a number of steps to be completed prior to the submission of the final report and the winding up of the commission. These include sending drafts of relevant sections of the report to people who are identified in it, and hearing their observations.

As required under the Commissions of Investigation Act, Mr. MacEntee furnished me with an interim report along with his most recent request for an extension. I brought this eighth interim report to the attention of the Government and, as with previous such reports, I have published it. I have also laid a copy in the Oireachtas Library.

I now expect to receive his final report on 13 March 2007. It is my intention to publish the report as soon as possible after it is received. However, I am required by law to consider certain issues prior to publication. This is likely to involve requesting legal advice from the Attorney General. I will also submit it to the Cabinet prior to publication. The timescale involved between receipt of the report and publication is impossible to estimate in advance but I certainly wish to publish the report as quickly as possible. If at all possible, I will do so while the House is sitting, before the Easter break.

The report of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is deeply disturbing. Its findings are of the utmost gravity. I raised the serious issues in the report with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, when I met with him in London on 30 January. Over many years, successive Irish Governments, and many others, have raised serious concerns about collusion in Northern Ireland. Mrs. O'Loan's report demonstrates that these concerns were well founded. It presents clear evidence that members of the RUC colluded with loyalist murderers and failed in their duty to prevent many horrific crimes. Behind this report lie many personal stories of lives lost and lives shattered. I wish to express my sympathy to the families of the victims at this distressing time. I met Raymond McCord Snr. in recent months. I applaud his single-minded determination and courage, which helped to ensure that the truth would be told and that these grievous failures were brought to light in a comprehensive and detailed way. It is essential that justice be done, and be seen to be done, in these cases. In the face of such a damning report, follow-up action and reassurance is essential.

The report shows why police reform was so essential in Northern Ireland. All fair-minded people will acknowledge the reforms that have taken place in recent years and that have made a real and visible difference to policing in Northern Ireland. I commend the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman for her tenacity and determination. Her report shows that the Patten accountability and oversight mechanisms are robust and do work. This must remain a vital part of the reformed policing arrangements in Northern Ireland. Inclusive support by all for reformed policing in Northern Ireland must be the way of the future.

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