Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I commend Deputy Joe Costello on his fine and thoughtful contribution on this topic. Before I say anything else, I welcome the families of Justice for the Forgotten, who are in the Visitors Gallery listening to this debate.

On 17 May 1974, I was working on the tenth floor of Fitzwilton House beside Leeson Street Bridge on the canal. I saw the explosion take place at South Leinster Street. It took place outside 10 and 11 South Leinster Street - that I knew because my Dad worked there. Luckily, from my own narrow point of view, he was abroad on business at the time and most of the staff in the office building had left because in the insurance business, offices generally closed to the public at approximately 5 p.m. and there were only a few people in the building. However, one person was sucked down by the vacuum caused by the explosion out on the street and broke a leg. Luckily, nobody else was hurt.

It was a very chilling and frightening evening and night in Dublin. I was 23 years of age at the time and was very shaken and frightened, even though I had not been nearby. To have seen the cloud of smoke in the distance and to know other explosions had taken place was quite terrifying, even not being there. I feel a great empathy and sympathy towards the families, particularly for what Deputy Costello described very well as a very long, empty odyssey without knowing what lay behind it. We must reflect on the sadness that occurred for those families and the anxiety of not knowing why it happened and how.

Wisdom teaches us also not to lose sight of what is expressed in the Private Members' motion, which recalls the motion adopted unanimously on 10 July 2008 and:

notes that the question of obtaining access to information held by the British Government on the bombings has been pursued for many years;

requests the Government to continue to raise the matter with the British Government and to press it to comply with the request of Dáil Éireann and reaffirms the support of Members on all sides of this House; and [this is important]

acknowledges that the cooperation being sought is taking place in the context of transformed relationships on this island and between Ireland and Britain based on mutual respect, on partnership and on friendship.

That is the basis and foundation of hope and it is core and central. Deputy Gerry Adams referred to the possibility of truth and reconciliation. That is worthy of our reflection and our seeking to bring it about. On a vox pop on television recently, a woman said that her mother had taught the family that there is no future in the past. We can learn from the past but we must build on the future.

We live in the present and English is the only language I know that has the dual dimension of the term "present", meaning now, in the present moment, and the gift. We speak about birthday presents and Christmas presents. The present is where we live, it is the gift and in that context a gift is something to be respected and cherished with care.

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