Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In relation to the man who stayed in the Four Courts Hotel, I have, as outlined in my reply, forwarded the relevant material to the appropriate authorities for their consideration. Regarding Justice for the Forgotten, there have been comprehensive examinations and all the work regarding Mr. Justice Hamilton, Mr. Justice Barron's report, the commission of investigation and the examinations here in the House has been completed to the best of everybody's ability.

It was only recently that I saw that information regarding the issue I mentioned in the reply. I will give my own political view on it; I do not want to get into the legal realms. I do not think we should look at it with enormous interest. In my estimation, it is not very substantive. That is purely my political view; it is for others to offer a legal view. Obviously, I cannot say what it is — given what it is — but I had not seen it in previous work when it was finished. I have just seen it in recent times but it is no more substantive than many other things I have seen in these reports. I do not know whether it is of any relevance at all, but that is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Politically, I do not think it is of huge interest because we are talking about a period 34 years ago. If there are any leads on these issues, they are not there.

If the Deputy asked if I believe that all the information that is available in the British establishment has been given to us, I certainly would not answer "yes" to that question. If the Deputy asked whether we have we all the information we are going to get from the British authorities, I would answer "yes" to that question. After the considerable efforts of Mr. Justice Hamilton, Mr. Justice Barron and Mr. MacEntee, we are unlikely to see any further information. With the help of numerous Secretaries of State they did ultimately change their position and gave far more information than they were giving in the first place. They moved substantially from their position. Any other information is probably in the hands of MI5 or MI6 and I do not see how we will get it.

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