Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In my original reply I explained the position in respect of those inquiries. We have experience of the commission inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. While much was achieved, it did not resolve the issues for the relatives. We also have the work of the Eames-Bradley group. There are also issues that have arisen where legal proceedings have been initiated. A number of relatives of the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings who are not members of the Justice for the Forgotten group sought redress in the High Court to gain access to the files of the McEntee commission of inquiry, which were held and sealed in my Department. The Master of the High Court delivered his judgment on the matter on 7 May 2008, finding against the Taoiseach, Ireland and the Attorney General.

That was appealed and the High Court upheld the appeal on 18 March 2009. It is now being appealed to the Supreme Court. There are several other cases before the courts in which applicants, including Justice for the Forgotten, are also seeking access to the archive. Therefore, I would not like to comment further on the matter. In defending these cases, the State is honouring commitments of confidentiality given by Mr. McEntee in the course of his inquiries.

The discussions I have been having with the British Prime Minister recently have not related to the collusion issue, as the Deputy describes it. They have been about the institutions and trying to implement the agreements that we have been discussing for the last half an hour. These have been my priority when dealing with the British Prime Minister. At official level, there is continuing interaction between the Governments on outstanding matters. I met with relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims, who are awaiting the publication of their inquiry and want this to be brought forward in a way that allows them study the issues in a timely fashion. I listened to what they had to say about those issues and I would support them in any way I can. In the main body of my reply I said any future follow-up on further inquiries mentioned should be considered in consultation with the parties and can be raised with the Whips. That is the best answer I can give at the moment.

Regarding the talks, at times like this we need political leadership and for people to see the big picture. People must recognise that much progress has been made and that the logic and rationale of the situation is to complete successfully any remaining issues that have not been fully and finally resolved but on which there has been much discussion. In the context of a successful outcome, we need to deal with political relationships and ensure that the Executive is inclusive and provides an opportunity for all to participate. We need to build an esprit de corps that is necessary for a good, efficient, effective Executive to work in any Administration. That requirement falls to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. We must ensure that the relationship is exemplary in terms of effective working methods.

These are important matters that send signals of confidence and give hope to people that what we are doing will accomplish things so that matters will work out as envisaged and people will serve the community that elected them to these positions of responsibility. That is fundamental and the effect of working at the Assembly and the way in which the North-South institutions work means there is a need for people to unshackle the constraints and limitations. What has been a conservative approach thus far to all of these matters must be opened to the potential of these agreements. This will allow people to see we can work together and, by working together, we can bring mutual benefit, which is the objective of the exercise in the first place.

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