Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The point that needs to be made with regard to the bilateral loan that was given by the British Government and two other Governments to Ireland is that the British Treasury has been supportive of Ireland on more than one occasion. The British authorities granted a bilateral loan at an early stage. We should continue to work to improve the IMF-EU situation, as a first port of call, before we look at the question of any further concession in respect of the bilateral loan from Britain. This is all part of the bigger picture left by the previous Government on which we are working. I never intended to raise the issue at my meetings with the Prime Minister.

It is beneath Deputy Martin to say we intend to wash our hands or pay lip service to those who died in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings or any other bombings in respect of information that may be made available. I do not know the extent of files that exist or the information in those files. Deputy Martin was told by the British Government that the information it supplied was all it intended to supply. He did not say "No" at that stage and nor will I do so. As I said, in the transformed relationships that now exist between our two Governments and countries we will continue to work in this area of sensitivity, not only in respect of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings but also on a long list of other cases. The Prime Minister was very strong in his apology arising from the Saville inquiry which, as Deputy Martin knows, cost more than €200 million. While it is difficult to put a price on the truth, the Government is committed. Far from paying lip service or washing our hands, we will continue to work with the British Government. I reminded the Prime Minister that the House has, on more than one occasion, put together all-party recommendations seeking the release of information and in a number of other areas.

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