Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together.

I attended the commemoration ceremony on Friday, 15 August, held to mark the tenth anniversary of the Omagh bombing. The ceremony, organised by Omagh District Council, was a moving tribute to the victims and their families and to the emergency and medical services who assisted on that terrible day. At the new memorial garden I laid a wreath on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland in remembrance of those whose lives were taken. Later, I had an opportunity to meet briefly with the families, and I expressed my solidarity and that of the Government with all of those affected from the town and the wider community. Both ministerial colleagues and I have received correspondence from the relatives about their concerns. However, I have not received a formal request for a further meeting.

The Government noted the contents of the "Panorama" programme and also the Prime Minister's announcement of 17 September last when he asked Peter Gibson, Intelligence Services Commissioner, to report on the matter. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, had also raised the allegations from the "Panorama" programme with the Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward. The Gibson review has been completed and the conclusions of the report have been published.

The Garda Síochana maintains close contact with the Police Service of Northern Ireland regarding all matters of cross-Border crime, including the investigation into the Omagh bombing. As criminal proceedings continue in this jurisdiction in connection with the bombing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail.

There is also a civil case ongoing in Northern Ireland. That case has heard evidence in the South and has also heard evidence from the Garda.

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