Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I will briefly respond. People have suffered terrible unexpected tragedy in their lives during the course of what occurred on this island during the terrible years of violence and conflict. Families are entitled to know the whereabouts of the remains of their loved ones, they are entitled to have the opportunity for a burial service, and they are entitled to some closure, in so far as it is ever possible to bring it about.

There are people on this island who must know the whereabouts of some of the remains that have yet to be recovered and who, for reasons known only to themselves, are not yet willing to share this information. I call on them to do so, and not only on behalf of the Government because, in saying this, I think I represent all Members of the House, be they members of parties or independent.

One final effort would be a huge help to these families. For the commission to engage in this effort, it requires information. Its work is essentially dependent on information being made available to it. If people on the island were involved in terrible acts in the past and know the whereabouts of the remains of those who lost their lives, they should make some small acknowledgement of their role in this by quietly and confidentially providing essential information to facilitate the commission continue its work and afford new hope to the families who today anxiously await the possibility of remains being located and returned, and the possibility of a proper decent burial service for their loved ones.

See this speech in context