Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate and to support the all-party motion. I also welcome the commitment by the Taoiseach to raise the issue of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings with British Prime Minister David Cameron on behalf of Justice for the Forgotten when the British Prime Minister visits Dublin. I welcome the families of Justice for the Forgotten to the House. We cannot forget that 34 people, including an unborn child, were killed on 17 May 1974. This was the greatest loss of life on a single day in the history of the Troubles on this island. The bombing on Talbot Street is commemorated by a monument erected near the junction of Talbot Street and Amiens Street to honour the memory of those killed on that day.

Like previous speakers, the bombing on Talbot Street has a particular relevance for me. The atrocity happened close to where I worked. The bombing occurred at 6 p.m. I heard the sound of the explosion on my way home from work. I used to finish 15 minutes earlier on Fridays and if the explosion happened on another weekday, I could have been in Talbot Street at the time. All of the people killed on that day were ordinary people going about their daily business when the terrorist atrocity was executed. One of the people killed in Talbot Street that day was a man who sold newspapers near the junction of Talbot Street and Gardiner Street. I used to buy an evening newspaper from him on my way home from work. I was struck by the similarities between the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974 and the Canary Wharf bombing in 1996. Both were barbaric acts of urban terrorism, committed by different sets of ruthless people who had no qualms about killing innocent people. One of the people killed at Canary Wharf was also a street newspaper vendor. The rest were going about their daily business. Since the times of these atrocities, we have had the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process, which has transformed relationships on this island and between Ireland and Britain, which are based on mutual respect.

My colleague, Deputy Joe Costello, stated that Justice for the Forgotten marked the 30th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings yesterday with a wreath laying ceremony in Talbot Street. On the same day, we had the start of the historic visit of a British monarch to an independent Ireland. The vast majority of the citizens of the State welcome Queen Elizabeth as a visitor to our State in a spirit of friendship and reconciliation. I particularly welcome her tour of Croke Park this afternoon, during which she met players and groups associated with the GAA. The GAA President, Christy Cooney, spoke for everyone when he said the Queen's visit would result in a further advancement of the Northern Ireland peace process.

It is relevant to refer to the funeral of the slain PSNI constable and GAA player, Ronan Kerr. His funeral cortege was evidence of a new reality in Northern Ireland. Many people are of the opinion that the visit of Queen Elizabeth could have happened ten years ago, as the conditions were favourable for such a visit since the majority of the people of this island voted in favour of the Good Friday Agreement. Perhaps the delay was down to the caution and conservatism of the previous Taoiseach.

I deplore the rioting in Dorset Street and the surrounding area. We are told hundreds of rioters clashed with gardaí for almost three hours in the city centre area, throwing fireworks, glass bottles and bricks. A Bus Éireann bus and cars were hit by bricks and wheelie bins were set on fire. Paramedics on duty in the area had to wear helmets for their protection and safety. This behaviour is unacceptable and does not serve any purpose. The Garda Síochána is to be congratulated on its efforts and forbearance in dealing with the situation. It is clear that many families with relatives killed during the Troubles have questions they want answered. Dealing with the legacy of the past is not easy because there is no simple solution or quick fix but it is a challenge we must accept.

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