Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is frustrating that we are here tonight supporting this Private Members' motion proposed by Deputy Thomas P. Broughan calling for a commission of investigation into the Stardust tragedy 35 years after that terrible night. It is frustrating in that it has not happened before now. It is 35 years of heartache for the families and survivors that was not necessary. After all these years, the families have still not got the full truth about why their loved ones died and the inadequate way in which the tragedy was investigated and dealt with by the institutions of the State.

One example of this inadequate response can be seen in the report from the Stardust victims compensation tribunal to the Oireachtas in 1985. The compensation tribunal noted that in many cases, the establishment of the tribunal led to victims being examined and treated by doctors for the first time. In many cases the doctors were shocked, not to say indignant, that people who needed medical advice and treatment had been left without it for so many years.

See this speech in context