Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for his answer in respect of the Smithwick inquiry. I support that.

Considering the record of British Governments over the years and centuries, they have always been meticulous at the very least in note-taking and recording, both internally in the affairs of this country over the centuries and internationally. I have no doubt these records exist either in MI5, MI6 or both.

Did either Prime Minister state to the Taoiseach that there were no records? Did they ever say they could not be made available, indicating the records exist but they do not want to make them available? Did they deny point blank that records ever existed? If that is the case, it is a complete reversal of British and imperial policy over centuries, where they were always meticulous in note-taking about issues, tragedies and interference such as this. Was such a comment ever made to the Taoiseach by his peer in the House of Commons or Downing Street?

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