Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have had some engagement with Stardust survivors in the past few years and raised the issue on a number of occasions when I was on the other side of the House. In the recent past, anytime I have been in contact with survivors of the Stardust, I have been accused of not telling the truth or it has been said I should produce information or evidence that would alter what has already been determined. I told them that if they had a legal person who had evidence that was new or could confirm what they were saying, it should be produced. However, I receive requests to produce photographs of flooded basements or to show there was no fire in the ceiling space. I do not have that information. Any time I respond on this issue I am accused of telling lies.

Of course the survivors and siblings of those 48 young people who died at the Stardust deserve to have the full facts determined, but this has been examined pretty exhaustively on a number of occasions, and a number of other matters were attended to. I understand there is a question of outstanding legal fees of a pretty serious nature.

The families will have met Deputy Martin, Deputy Adams and others in the recent past, but Deputy Adams is asking me to form another commission of inquiry. I am being asked to determine whether there is some other evidence that will confirm a different version of what has already been determined. All I said to them on the last occasion was that if the legal person they have employed has evidence that is new, different and confirms what they say, then that should be provided to the proper authorities. If that is available - I do not know whether it is - I would respectfully suggest that this is a way forward in the process.

See this speech in context