Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach is aware that the MacEntee inquiry was established to investigate why Garda investigations were wound down in 1974 following the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and why certain leads were not followed up, including information relating to a person who stayed at the Four Courts Hotel between 15 and 17 May of that year and his contacts with the UVF and information relating to a British Army corporal who was allegedly sighted in Dublin at the time of the bombings. Mr. MacEntee is a very eminent person. Will the Taoiseach clarify the nature of the statutory requirements that must be complied with as a result of the request for an eighth extension? Surely Mr. MacEntee, the sole person involved in directing the inquiry, and the Government are aware of the need for compliance with statutory requirements in the context of time. Was the most recent extension requested to facilitate the interviewing of certain other persons who it was not thought necessary to interview when previous requests for extensions were made and would the latter have necessitated compliance with further statutory requirements? Is the Taoiseach satisfied that this will be the final request for an extension and that the final report will be made available to him in or around 13 March? Have the Taoiseach and the Government contacted the families of the victims to prepare them for the publication of the report? How will the report's publication be dealt with and what will be the extent of that publication?

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