Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Like the Taoiseach, I raised this serious matter a number of times and I welcome the debate on it at the start of the Dáil session. The sad thing is that the families of persons who lost their lives in those tragic circumstances have no closure to the events. Despite some progress being made and, in some cases, the convictions of persons, there are others who believe that the system has not dealt with their loved ones being blown up, murdered or so on during a troubled time in the country's recent history.

As we speak, there are people who know the answers to the questions of who was involved and who gave the orders. There are those who know that collusion took place and those who know who was involved in that collusion. The sad thing is that we as a Legislature cannot put a finger on those people and have the arm of the law bring them to justice to deal with their outrageous acts of murder and mayhem.

The debate underlines the strength of feeling in the House about the need to resolve the violent atrocities that were inquired into by Mr. Justice Barron and the great work he did. While we can hope with some confidence that the conflict in which these acts were perpetrated will not exist in the future, we cannot say that what happened in the past can be ignored or left unresolved. That is where the pain still remains for the families. It would be a travesty of justice and inflict more pain and grief on those families whose lives were shattered beyond belief. We owe it to the victims and their families to do everything we can as a Legislature and Parliament on behalf of the people to see that these crimes are resolved and that closure and some finality is brought to this very sad period in our recent history.

The value of the reports produced by Mr. Justice Barron is that they confirm what we have long suspected, namely, that there is very clear evidence of collusion by the security forces in many of these murders. I accept this conclusion and am sure that all parties in the House do likewise. Knowing that collusion occurred and bringing those responsible to justice are two very different matters. For many years, I have highlighted the persistent refusal of the British Government to co-operate properly with the Barron inquiry. This lack of co-operation is confirmed in these reports by Mr. Justice Barron.

I also understand that former members of the security forces were given not just an instruction but a written instruction not to respond to the inquiry. I find it quite incredible that the British Government would so blatantly and brazenly ignore a formal commission of inquiry established by this State. Not even the Taoiseach's special relationship with the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, was able to break that down.

It is important for us to consider what the sub-committee said. We have had representations from a number of the groups involved. The sub-committee did a very good job of dealing with these matters. I will put some of this on the record in this debate. The sub-committee stated:

The Sub-Committee is left in no doubt that collusion between the British security forces and terrorists was behind many if not all of the atrocities that are considered in this report. We are horrified that persons who were employed by the British administration to preserve peace and to protect people were engaged in the creation of violence and the butchering of innocent victims.

The Sub-Committee believes that unless the full truth about collusion is established and those involved either admit or are fixed with responsibility then there cannot be closure for the families.

Point taken. It goes on to say:

The Sub-Committee further believes that unless the full truth about collusion is established and those involved either admit or are fixed with responsibility then there is always the risk of what occurred in the 1970s occurring again some day. We are of the view that these matters cannot be swept under the carpet.

The Sub-Committee is of the view that given that we are dealing with acts of international terrorism that were colluded in by the British security forces, the British Government cannot legitimately refuse to co-operate with investigations and attempts to get to the truth.

The Sub-Committee notes that the British cabinet was aware of the level to which the security forces had been infiltrated by terrorists and we believe that its inadequate response to this knowledge permitted the problem to continue and to grow.

It also states:

Our experience has been that the British authorities have reacted to the issues that arise from the atrocities in a closed and defensive manner. The natural instinct appears to be to selfishly defend the organisation or administration to which one belongs. The Sub-Committee believes there is a need for officials to change the manner in which they think and act and for them to be more open about the past.

When the Taoiseach sat down with the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, in whatever discussions they had in private, I am quite sure he put it very clearly to Mr. Blair, on behalf of the Irish people and the Irish Government, that the papers and evidence, documentary and otherwise, available to the British Government should be made available in light of the peace process to bring closure to this. I am sure he did his best.

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