Dáil debates

Tuesday, 14 June 2016

Topical Issue Debate

Northern Ireland

6:45 pm

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

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I do not know if it is possible for the families to find some sense of closure with the truth of how their loved ones were murdered. Again, I emphasise that the killers must be brought to justice and that there has to be answers for this mass murder.

Through parliamentary questions and various debates in this House over the years, I have highlighted the issue of collusion and the needless loss of life that resulted from such collusion. I again emphasise the need for the British Government to co-operate with investigations into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and also into bombings in my constituency, including Belturbet, where innocent decent people lost their lives. Two young teenagers died in the bombing in Belturbet.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, must state clearly that she accepts the findings of the Loughinisland report. She should also apologise and retract her statement of February where she referenced the RUC not pulling the trigger in Loughinisland.

I have asked successive Ministers for Justice and Equality, and Foreign Affairs and Trade, to pursue relentlessly with the British Government the need for it to honour its international commitments and provide full and proper co-operation with all investigations into these horrific crimes.

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