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

In 1999, the Irish and British Governments established the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. Over the years, the commission has been adequately resourced by the Irish and British Governments. Can the Tánaiste give us an assurance that the important work of the commission will continue through appropriate resourcing for whatever length of time it is needed? When the commission was established, its remit was to assist in the recovery of the bodies of 17 innocent people abducted, murdered and secretly buried, mainly by the provisional IRA. In the meantime, none of us can imagine the sense of loss, the hardship and heartbreak of the families. Yesterday, thankfully, remains were recovered in Oristown, County Meath believed to be those of Mr. Brendan Megraw, a young man abducted in 1978 and murdered. His brother, Mr. Kieran Megraw, spoke in a dignified way about the sense of relief for the family. Of course it is a day of mixed emotions but he pointedly referred to bearing in mind the families of the other six people whose remains have not yet been recovered. It is important we give from the Oireachtas a clear message that if anyone has any information that could be useful in identifying a possible location where the secret burials took place, there is an obligation, morally and in every respect, for someone with relevant information to come forward to the relevant authorities. This will enable the very difficult but important work of the commission to be brought to a successful conclusion. None of us can understand the anguish, hurt and suffering of those families and I have known many of them over the years. It is beholden on all of us to assist in bringing those searches to what we might call a successful conclusion.

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