Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

People will recognise the political background against which these efforts have been made. For example, mention was made into inquiries into a number of cases which affected both sides of the community were handled at the same time by Judge Peter Cory. I was there at the time. In that context we were able to have him investigate the Finucane and Nelson murders and the killing of the two policemen, Superintendent Bob Buchanan and the other gentleman whose name does not come to mind at the moment. It took considerable time and effort to ensure that occurred. We have had independent inquiries North and South arising from that, yet we still do not have an independent tribunal of inquiry into the murder of Mr. Pat Finucane. We continue to try to address these issues. When one tries to advance these questions one hears the argument that there are other victims of violence for whom there will be no answers. The great tragedy of violent conflict is that innocent victims on all sides of the divide never find justice, having been denied the basic right to life.

That one tries to advance issues that, on their merits, are of such magnitude as what we are discussing here, and yet not find the core truth of the issue is disappointing in terms of the process established. It has also had varying effects on the relatives of victims in the reminder it has brought and the reliving of these traumatic events, which have had their detrimental side-effects. We must try to advance this issue to the greatest extent possible in the pursuit of truth, but also recognise there is a political context that makes it more difficult to achieve what one sets out to achieve. The disappointments that ensue as a result and the upset and revived trauma it causes can often result in a continuing no-win situation for these people. That does not deter or deflect one from trying to pursue the truth but I take cognisance of some of these issues. This is not because I do not want to pursue it but because I know this outcome also happens.

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