Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

As Deputy Adams is well aware, the truth in these matters is sacrosanct and central to a conclusion. I respect the Prime Minister's wish that there should be the truth arrived at in the shortest possible time and obviously that an apology be issued to those bereaved by the loss of their father and husband.

From that point of view, I have not spoken to the Prime Minister since July but I was clear in my last conversation with him about this matter and was clear again today and will be clear again when I meet with him. I cannot force the British Government to do this. We have had numerous questions about this over the years when I was in Opposition and now the British Government has set out its stall that it does not want a long list of open-ended inquiries. There is in these matters no price that can be put on the truth. I expect the Tánaiste will be in contact with Geraldine Finucane and her family and will invite them for a discussion on the meeting.

The Deputy can take it that in so far as the Government is concerned, once the Finucane family are not happy with what is on offer, we stand by our decision before of continuing to look for an inquiry in this matter arising from the findings of Judge Cory, which were very clear and in respect of which there are a million pieces of information now in respect of the whole Finucane killing which may or may not yield the truth of this matter in so far as allegations of collusion were concerned. That is the position; the unanimous decision of the Dáil previously still stands and I hope to have the opportunity to speak to Geraldine Finucane shortly.

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