Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland is of primary importance to me, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, as it is to the Government. A Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, with specific reference to implementation of the all-party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as outlined by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan. The all-party motion on the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings adopted in this House on 25 May last year has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government. The motions call on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to those bombings.

The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of the all-party Dáil motions, and has consistently raised the issue with the British Government. The Taoiseach has raised the matter with Prime Minister May, including at their meeting in Dublin on 30 January, emphasising the Government's continued support for the Dáil motions. I have also raised the matter on a number of occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire. In our discussions, I have advised him that the Dáil motions represent the consensus political view in Ireland that an independent, international judicial review of all the relevant documents is required to establish the full facts of the atrocities that occurred in Dublin and Monaghan. I have also underlined to the Secretary of State that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government and the House. I emphasised the urgent need for a response from the British Government. The Secretary of State acknowledged the importance the Government and the Dáil attach to these cases and indicated that the British Government is open to considering how it could respond in a way which would adequately address the motions and be consistent with its obligations. The Government is actively pursuing this matter with the British Government, urging it to provide a satisfactory response to the motions that have been adopted by this House.

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