Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I and my party strongly oppose the proposal to rush through the House the motion concerning the Smithwick inquiry. It was established as a confidence-building measure and has proved we will go to any lengths to uncover whether officers of the State may have colluded with the IRA in the murder of two RUC officers. The motion which the Government wants to push through the House is far more serious than the Taoiseach stated yesterday. It would directly force the tribunal to end in six months time irrespective of the state of its investigations. The media has been briefed with negative comments about the tribunal but not one piece of briefing material has been supplied to Members of the House to justify this motion. Far more seriously, there has been no consultation with interested parties. Confidence-damaging conspiracies are already being put on this, including the idea that the move is equal to the British refusal to release files on the Dublin and Monaghan atrocities. There is no need to rush this measure through the House without consultation or the circulation of any materials behind the decision. I ask the Taoiseach to withdraw the motion and bring it forward again following consultation and the provision of detailed briefing material to Members of the House.

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