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

I thank the Minister for his response. Will he outline the timeline for the establishment of the historical investigations unit? The Minister is aware of a number of issues that I have previously raised relating to the carnage which occurred on this side of the Border and which we must have referred to that commission. My understanding is these cannot be referred to the historical investigations unit unless they are cleared by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman. It is an area I would like to see the Minister address. There are particular tragedies in which so many lives were needlessly lost through paramilitary activity which led to the carnage involving innocent people. I hope the concerns of those families of victims, as well as survivors of these terrible atrocities, can be addressed. That must happen and I hope the Minister can progress some long-standing issues in that respect.

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