Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I certainly agree with the Deputy that there was a national tragedy. We all recall it so vividly, even after so many years, and I thank the Deputy for raising the matter again. I assure him that the points he has made will be brought to the attention of the Minister who is aware that there is dissatisfaction that it has not been possible to determine the true cause of the fire with certainty. He entirely sympathises with the frustration of the victims' committee in this regard. He sympathises with all those who continue to be affected by the tragedy. However, the position is that an independent examination by Mr. Coffey was carried out to assess the committee's case and substantial assistance was provided for the committee to participate in the process. Mr. Coffey's conclusions led to a motion of great significance being passed by both Houses clarifying the record as to the cause of the fire. Mr. Coffey also concluded that there remained no actual identified evidence as to the cause of the fire. In that context, in line with the motions, the best another inquiry could produce would be another set of hypothetical findings which would not be in the public interest. However, as I have said on behalf of the Minister, if a submission is made, it will be examined, but nothing raised in the correspondence to date would be grounds for him taking a different view from that set out in Mr. Coffey's findings. I again thank the Deputy for his continued interest in this terrible tragedy.

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