Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

While I acknowledge the Taoiseach's indication that, if it has not already been done, he will look at compiling all the reports I have cited, including those of the Oireachtas sub-committee, with a view to presenting them to Prime Minister Brown, will he indicate whether we have employed any other level of activity in lobbying parliamentarians at Westminster to give support to the request of the Oireachtas for full British co-operation in an investigation into all cases of collusion? While the Taoiseach is on the record in this regard, will he acknowledge once again his personal concern at the fact that in 1974 we had a very short-lived investigation by the Garda Síochána into the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 17 May of that year? In addition, the Garda investigation into the murder of Seamus Ludlow was cut short at the direction of the then deputy Garda Commissioner, Laurence Wren. Is it not within our own gift to have the full truth shone upon these particular actions? Surely, it is within the gift of the Taoiseach and the Government to initiate a proper investigation and inquiry into why the gardaí acted as they did and why, despite the fact that they knew the people who were responsible for the murder of Seamus Ludlow, they did not pursue the matter at the time but, indeed, perpetuated the absolute non-truth that the IRA was somehow involved, which of course time has demonstrated was not the case.

On the justified criticism of the recent statements that took place here on the issue of collusion by myself and Deputy Costello of the Labour Party, the Taoiseach indicated in the course of same that he would be open to the idea of a Dáil motion following the conclusion of that particular opportunity. In light of that, will the Taoiseach convene an all-party meeting of representatives of all the parties here in order that a motion can be agreed? I understand that a motion has been drafted and forwarded by Justice for the Forgotten. Will the Taoiseach now call a meeting of either party leaders or whomever within this House so that that motion can be agreed by all parties and we can move this matter forward? Does the Taoiseach not agree there is general acceptance that the statement of views that took place falls far short of the statement of intent in terms of real action and an outworking of this issue? Will the Taoiseach agree that such a motion should formally endorse the reports of the Oireachtas sub-committee, to be directed at the British Government and British Parliament, calling on them to release all relevant documents relating to collusion, especially concerning the killings that took place in this jurisdiction? Will the Taoiseach also agree that it would serve a useful purpose if it included a call for the bringing about of a summit between himself and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, to address this issue as a stand-alone matter of major concern to the citizenry of this country?

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