Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

As I mentioned in my reply, work is being done in this regard in two sections in the Department.

The Deputy raised a very interesting question on the establishment of the consultative group on the past. We are at a new and positive stage in the political process in Northern Ireland. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has welcomed the announcement of the consultative group to examine the issues that arise when dealing with the past. The group, which is jointly chaired by experienced and respected representatives, will report next summer. The Minister understands that the group will look at the broader issues of how to approach the legacy of conflict rather than focus on individual cases. There remain a number of bodies and inquiries looking at specific cases, including the Bloody Sunday inquiry. We do not underestimate the fact that this is a very complex area. We wish the process well but it will be some time before the results crystallise.

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