Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion of support for the families of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and of Kay's Tavern in Dundalk. I was a member of the sub-committee established to deal with the report of the independent commission of inquiry. Having listened to the evidence presented, I believe beyond any doubt that the British security services were up to their necks in these bombings and murders. I do not say that lightly and I made my views known to the British ambassador when I refused an invitation to meet the Queen.

It is time for the British Government to treat the families of these bombings with respect and honesty by opening the files on these horrific bombings. I urge Mr. Cameron to open the files withheld from Mr. Justice Henry Barron during his inquiries into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the other cross-Border bombings perpetrated in this jurisdiction. All requests, including a cross-party resolution adopted by the Dáil on 10 July 2008, have fallen on deaf ears and deeply troublesome questions remain unanswered. This would be a serious matter for any parliament in western Europe. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, which examined the Barron report, concluded that it was dealing with acts of international terrorism in which British security forces colluded.

I commend the families and Justice for the Forgotten for their hard work and dignified campaigning over the years. It is time for our Government to be more proactive and for the Taoiseach to end the dithering and wishy-washy statements to the media. It is not good enough and I want them to take a stronger line on the matter. It is time the Government pursued the truth with vigour in order to stop the hurt these families are experiencing. I ask Deputies to reflect on what they would feel if this had happened to their own families. Sitting on the fence is not an option for Members of the Oireachtas. I urge them to stand up for truth, justice and, above all, these families by asking the British Government to open these files.

Those of us who firmly believe in a democratic and independent Ireland strongly support the Justice for the Forgotten organisation and the families. I also commend the Pat Finucane Centre for all its work and support. It offered a great service to the families, the country and the people of this island, whether Catholic, Protestant or dissenter. Its pursuit of truth and justice is an example to the Oireachtas and the very least we can do tonight is support this motion and once again ask the British Government to hand over the files.

Earlier we discussed the peace process. The peace process is a healing process and it requires openness, truth and justice. I will never forget my experience on the sub-committee and the work we did on the Barron report in terms of meeting the relatives and listening to their stories. I dissented from the views expressed by other members of the sub-committee because I wanted a full independent inquiry with strong statutory powers. Politicians of the time did not shine on this issue. There was a hidden view that they did not want to rock the boat or upset the British Government. People tried to hide the issue of collusion under the carpet but the report clearly reveals that collusion played an important part in what happened in Dublin and Monaghan. Cameron apologised to the people of Derry for Bloody Sunday and I ask him to speak to the people of Dublin and Monaghan.

I welcome the families of Justice for the Forgotten and give them my commitment that I will fight to the end for truth and justice on this matter.

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