Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I am sorry for interrupting the previous speaker. I thank all three Deputies for their support of the motion. It is in the interests of the families and in the public interest that the tribunal completes its comprehensive work. I hope it can meet the deadline of 31 October. Previous deadlines were furnished to the House and, unfortunately, for a number of reasons the tribunal was not able to meet them.

I thank Deputies for their suggestions about the publication of the report. The bereaved families are represented before the tribunal and will have sight of the report before others. That is a matter for the tribunal and I expect it is the normal process. The tribunal is independent and has charge of publishing its report. All Members will receive the report at the same time as it will be a report made to this House by the tribunal. In the context of the request that Deputies be briefed, Members of the House will be in the same position as members of Government or the Minister in regard to the timeframe. As I understand, the report will go to the Clerk of the Dáil and become available to us then. I will confirm this point for Deputies.

It is a report of great significance and importance as well as being a cause of upset and distress, no matter what its conclusions, to the immediate family members affected by the atrocity. The tribunal will take the necessary care to ensure the bereaved relatives of the former members of the RUC are fully aware of the content of the report and receive a copy in advance. After Members of the House have had the opportunity to consider its content, there will be statements or a debate in this House. I thank Members for their assistance and support.

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