Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

That is as far as Mr. MacEntee was able to bring the matter. Subsequently there was a resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas to address the Deputy's concern, requesting that any further help that the British Government could give be given. This remains the position of the Irish Government and the Oireachtas. We will continue to determine how this can be advanced. I do not want to indicate that a solution is imminent because this is not the case as matters stand. We must and will continue to put our case and indicate the weight of the resolution of the Dáil in respect of this matter. Unfortunately, issues arise from the conflict that have not been resolved.

The latest process is the Eames-Bradley process, which is an effort to try to deal with this in a comprehensive fashion. That is an ongoing process and we must see where it takes us. It is a difficult issue, involving the grief and loss of families. One of the victims of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings was personally known to me.

I am also aware of the difficulties that arise for families when this matter is revisited after such a long time. Failure to find resolution causes its own repeated trauma for the families, along with the frustration and difficulty this engenders. All of that is an unfortunate consequence of doing the right thing by making further inquiries into these investigations. Unfortunately, it has not brought finality or closure. We must continue to work to see if we can do that. Only finding out the total truth will achieve that and that truth has not emerged in 34 years.

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