Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

Thirty seven years ago, 34 people in this State had their lives cut short by loyalist death squads containing members of the Ulster Defence Regiment. The Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974 resulted in the highest number of casualties in any single day during the conflict. A loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force, whose ban had been lifted the previous month by Merlyn Rees, the Labour Secretary of State, subsequently claimed responsibility for the bombings in 1993. No warnings were given before the bombs exploded. Three bombs exploded in Dublin during rush hour killing 26 people and an unborn child and one exploded in Monaghan 90 minutes later killing seven people. No one has ever been charged with those attacks, which have been described by an Oireachtas committee on justice as an act of international terrorism.

There are many unanswered questions as to how loyalist paramilitary death squads acquired the capacity to carry out such bombings in this jurisdiction. The Barron report stated that there are grounds for suspecting that the bombers may have had assistance from members of the British military establishment. There is still a degree of speculation as to the line up of individuals actually involved in each stage of the preparation, planning and placing of the bombs.

The survivors and families of the deceased have questions which they want answered. They demand answers and, more importantly, they have the right to know the truth. The British Government has in its possession files which could answer those questions. Despite a previous request by this House to release the files and numerous requests by a previous Taoiseach to have the files released and the constant campaign by Justice for the Forgotten, the British Government has refuted these calls. Given the week that is in it and all the talk of reconciliation and moving on it would be the ideal opportunity for the British Government to finally do what is right and release the files.

It is not surprising that the British establishment might not want to own up to its seedy role during the conflict. It might not even wish to have its association with sectarian multiple killers aired publicly. Someone knows who orchestrated, planned and carried out those atrocities. Political posturing and self-interest cannot be an obstacle to moving the situation forward. We all have a responsibility, individually and collectively, to create the circumstances in which the needs of all victims are met.

We have had enough procrastination on this issue. I take on board the comments of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, on this evening's meeting between the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, and the Taoiseach. I also heard the comments earlier today made by the Mr. William Hague, that the British Government is willing to discuss the issue. That is not good enough. The time for discussion is over. We need a real and meaningful, forthright engagement, at the highest level of Government, on the matter. Victims, survivors and families demand it. Justice demands it. The files must be released without delay.

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