Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No one who is prepared to deal in any objective way with the facts can be in any doubt about the seriousness and gravity of collusion and the content of that programme and others mentioned by Deputy Smith. I do not dispute anything that has been said by Deputy Smith or Deputy Adams about this issue. The wounds inflicted by collusion, which threaten to destroy trust in the state's most fundamental responsibility, namely, protecting its citizens, are deep and slow to heal. For many, the most serious doubts remain. Where doubts persist, it is difficult to achieve true and lasting reconciliation.

I assure the House that I will continue to raise the issues surrounding the Dublin-Monaghan bombings with the British Government in every possible arena. I do not have a difficulty with any of the points put forward by Deputy Adams in this regard. It is my belief, as I have said before in this House, that such cases must be addressed in a meaningful way if we are to achieve a genuinely reconciled society. In respect of the Pat Finucane case, I recently had the opportunity to meet members of the Pat Finucane Centre. I acknowledge their work. I also had the opportunity recently of meeting representatives from Justice for the Forgotten.

In respect of the Pat Finucane case, the House will be aware that the outcome of a judicial review hearing in the High Court in Belfast is pending. Therefore, I do not wish to comment in detail at this stage. However, I assure the Deputies that the position of the Irish Government remains clear and unambiguous, like that of the family of Mr. Finucane. We want the commitment made by both Governments at Weston Park in 2001 to establish a public inquiry to be honoured in full. We will continue to raise this issue and I expect that the issue will be on the agenda tomorrow when the Taoiseach meets the British Prime Minister. I will have the opportunity over the next few days to raise this issue once again. I acknowledge the recent utterance by the Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers, when she said that she expected progress to be made on this issue. I will keep the House fully informed.

Deputy Adams is right when he says that the Stormont House Agreement provides for new ways to investigate the past and facilitate information recovered for victims and survivors to share their experiences. I agree with Deputy Smith and I acknowledge the support of the Opposition benches in this regard. I assure the Deputies that the Government continues to prioritise the full implementation of the agreement, not least because those who suffered the loss of loved ones or who were themselves victims of violence during the Troubles deserve the best possible means of dealing with the legacy of the past. In this, they continue to have the total commitment and full support of the Government.

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