Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is clear that the momentum has changed in the United States. The Schumer Bill has made progress because of the electoral and political changes in the United States which is to be welcomed. However, significant work still needs to happen with regard to the Republican Party because that is where the action is. Fianna Fáil facilitated all-party delegations in the past. I ask the Taoiseach if he could ensure there is contact between the Government and the actual undocumented people because this would be of assistance to those who are pursuing their interests. The challenge seems to be to secure a majority of the majority within the House of Representatives, the lower house. It is vital that the Government lobbying should target those who have reservations and are opposed to the Bill. In my view this is a very significant opportunity, in the aftermath of the presidential election, to achieve some progress. The reason there has not been progress to date is because of the political configuration within the United States. There has never been an opportunity to gain considerable consensus across both Houses of Congress and across both parties.

I refer to the Boston College Belfast oral history project. I ask the Taoiseach to consider meeting with the authors of that project, Anthony McIntyre and Ed Moloney. I reject what Deputy Adams said. The Taoiseach can see for himself that their objective in recording these interviews was not to undermine the peace process in any way. I am not endeavouring to exploit the past; I am dealing with the present. The investigation into Jean McConville's death is happening now; it is a live investigation, not an historical investigation. Hence the PSNI's desire to secure these tapes which has caused difficulties for those involved in recording them in the first instance. When I showed this book to the House, the words I used when I said that this book is a "must read", were exactly the words that Deputy Adams used some months ago here when he also paraded a book in the House and said it was a "must read" for every Deputy in the House. The book dealt with British undercover activities in Northern Ireland. He said it outlined in great detail the approaches of the British Government authorities and army and so on, to undercover activity. He felt it was quite appropriate to bring to our attention the importance-----

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