Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

On two occasions this House has called for the release of files on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. Nobody in this House disputes the fact that there have been victims on all sides, and that all victims must have acknowledgement and truth. It is a given that this cannot be a selective process.

I am worried, however, when I hear the Taoiseach report on conversations with the British Prime Minister which rule out endless, long-running inquiries. As the Taoiseach and the British Government are aware, Sinn Féin's position is that a properly constituted truth-recovery process is needed. None of us should run from that, least of all the British authorities. Nonetheless, the Taoiseach should not run away from his responsibility to press the British authorities in a meaningful and urgent way to release these files, by going off at a tangent and having discussions about other, yet-to-be-established, long-running inquiries.

Some €6.1 million has been spent on this matter. The Taoiseach knows that those charged with making the investigation have clearly stated that the British authorities have wilfully obstructed the investigation. They have deliberately and consistently refused to release these files. Conversations about future investigations are important and necessary, but the immediate matter at hand is the release of these particular files. This is not a matter of cost because the €6.1 million has already been spent. I suggest therefore that the release of these files will be revenue neutral to the British authorities. The reason they will not release them is because they have taken a political decision not to do so. It is the job of this Administration, on behalf of this State's citizens, to force the position with the British authorities. Will the Taoiseach therefore reassure this House that he has been rather more assertive with the British Prime Minister than what I have heard from him today? Can he give us that assurance?

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