Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

The needs of the victims, including in the tragic Jean McConville case, are the Government's priority consideration. The Government has been seeking all mechanisms to provide reconciliation and effect closure. The Minister for Justice and Equality and the Tánaiste will continue to monitor the proceedings in question. There may be a rehearing of the case, which is the option being retained by Mr. Moloney and Mr. McIntyre. They also retain the option of going to the courts in Belfast.

I did not answer the Deputy's question on decommissioning. This matter has been addressed under the Vienna convention. None of the material that is also deposited in the Boston College can be accessed until 2041. It is out of the hands of the British Government and the Irish authorities. The material can only be accessed on the request of either of those authorities.

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