Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I welcome the Taoiseach's indication that he will consider positively the proposal made by my colleague, Deputy Costello, that there be an agreed all-party motion on the Barron reports, which were debated in the House some weeks ago. As the Taoiseach will recall, considerable disappointment was expressed by Justice for the Forgotten and the families of many victims that the House did not consider a motion to provide a means by which this issue could be progressed further. I welcome that the Taoiseach is considering the proposal put to him by way of correspondence by Deputy Costello.

It was recently reported that the Chief State Solicitor had changed the Government's pleadings in the case being taken against the State by a number of the families of the victims. I understand he wrote to the families' legal representatives stating: "The defendants are now withdrawing the plea contained in the defence dated 2 March 2005 that the holding of a public inquiry at this time would be futile and/or impractical." Do I understand from that that the Government's position has changed regarding the holding of a public inquiry, which was sought originally by the Justice for the Forgotten group? What significance are we to attach to the change in the Government's pleadings in that case?

With regard to the Seamus Ludlow murder, the Taoiseach had a meeting with the Ludlow family on 22 January last and again it was reported subsequently that the Attorney General would consider the family's request for a public inquiry and would make a final decision on that within three weeks. The three weeks have elapsed and the Taoiseach, in response to an earlier question, indicated the Attorney General is still considering the issues discussed at the meeting. Will he confirm consideration is being given to a public inquiry in this case?

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