Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. He is right to make the point that there is no hierarchy of grief or pain for the families of the 3,500 people who died or the many thousands of people who were injured. The de Silva report clearly exposed the shocking level of brutal state collusion during the Troubles, which represented a dark chapter in this country's history. It is obvious that the publication of the report does not equate to the establishment of a fair and objective full investigation into the murder of Pat Finucane. In 2006, this House agreed an all-party motion that called for a public inquiry into the matter. That was also provided for in the international Weston Park agreement. Can the Tánaiste tell the House whether Secretary of State Villiers has indicated that the British Government will give further consideration to the all-party motion in which this House called for a full public inquiry to be held, in line with an international agreement? Did the Tánaiste raise these matters in his discussions with Secretary of State Villiers? If I recall correctly, the Tánaiste mentioned the last time we discussed this matter that he intended to raise the issue with Deputy Prime Minister Clegg as well.

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